At least 12 dead in Mogadishu attack: Police

At least 12 people were killed in an attack on Friday in the heart of the Somali capital that was claimed by Islamist al-Shabaab militants, a police official said.

"One of the blasts took place near the Peace Gardens (park) and the other near the Syl Hotel. I saw 12 dead civilians, but the toll may well be higher," Ibrahim Mohamed said.

An earlier report said that a suicide bomber had rammed his car into the Syl Hotel's entrance and a number of gunmen entered the building after an exchange of gunfire with hotel guards.

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