Mogadishu: Ten people were killed on Tuesday in an assault on a government office complex and seven attackers were also killed, according to a government spokesperson.
The fatalities include eight civilians and two soldiers, said spokesperson Ridwan Haji Abdiweli.
Police secured the Ministry of Higher Education office complex, said Capt. Mohammad Hussain, a senior police officer.
The attackers stormed the education ministry’s offices after a suicide car bomber detonated his vehicle at the gate of the complex, opening the way for gunmen to enter, said Hussain.
The assault on the walled compound, which also houses other government ministries, is the latest attack by suspected extremists of Al Shabab who have carried out a series of attacks in the capital on government targets and the African Union forces who are supporting the government.
Smoke could be seen rising over the compound after the attack.
Security forces rushed to the scene and ambulances ferried wounded people to hospitals.
