UPDATE - Bomb attacks kill 'at least 9' in Somali capital

UPDATES WITH AL-SHABAAB CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - At least nine people were killed and a dozen others were injured in two separate bomb attacks in the Somali capital Mogadishu Monday, police officials told Anadolu Agency.

In the first attack, two people were killed and four others were injured when a suicide car bomb exploded a few meters away from a Somali army training center in the neighborhood of Wadjer, east of Mogadishu, a security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Later, in another attack, at least seven people were killed and more than eight others were injured when two car bombs targeted the Weheliye hotel in the capital, Ali Yusuf, a police captain in the area, said by phone.

“It is very early to know how many people have been killed but [from] what I know we have seen is at least seven people killed, including soldiers and eight others wounded. The wounded people were rushed to Madina and Darushifa hospitals for treatment,” Yusuf said.

Howlwadag district commissioner also confirmed the death toll to Anadolu Agency.

Weheliye hotel is said to be frequented by government officials, including MPs and is located just a few steps from the Somali parliament building.

The Somali militant group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the Weheliye hotel attack.

The terror group said its target was government soldiers, officials and workers gathering outside the hotel and claimed that over 20 people were killed.