Somalia’s Islamist al-Shabab attacked the presidential palace in the capital Mogadishu on Tuesday taking control of the presidential office after heavy gunfire.

Al Arabiya correspondent said there were at least three explosions at the palace.

Al-Shabaab spokesman Abdulaziz Abu Musab told AFP: “Our commandos are inside the so-called presidential office. “We are in control of the headquarters of the apostate regime.”

An official in the presidential palace who asked not to be named told Reuters: “The militants have partly entered the presidential palace compound. There is periodic gunfire now.”

“I understand most attackers have been killed. No further details.”

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