WORST attack near Mogadishu airport and peacekeeping base

Police in Somalia say a suicide bomber killed several people in an attack near Mogadishu's airport and peacekeeping base. Militant group al-Shabab is suspected of carrying out the attack.

Two large explosions were reported close to the entrance to the heavily-fortified airport in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Tuesday, police said.
Initial reports put the death toll between three and 12 people. At least one of the explosions was believed to have been a car bomb. Witnesses also reported hearing gunfire.

"I saw everyone running... People were falling on the ground. Others were looking for somewhere to hide from the flying bullets over our heads," witness Mustafa Ali was quoted by news agency dpa as saying.
Several buildings used by the United Nations as well as barracks used by African Union troops are also near the airport.
The militant group al-Shabab, which has carried out similar attacks in the past, claimed responsibility for the blasts but the claim could be independently verified.
Al Shabab aims to rule Somalia according to its strict interpretation of Islam. African Union troops are backing Somalia's internationally supported government in the fight against the insurgents.