MOGADISHU, July 14 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed in twin blasts in Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday.
The attackers rammed a suicide car into the checkpoint beside Peace Garden near Syl Hotel which is close to the presidential palace and minutes later another one exploded in the same area at El-Gab junction.
A police officer at the scene said security forces shot dead at least two militants who detonated two bombs on military uniform.
The officer who declined to be named said the attackers attempted to get past a checkpoint manned by security forces in a bid to penetrate heavily fortified presidential palace but their mission was foiled.
Mohamed Abdulle, a police officer, told Xinhua the security forces fired on the speedy car and then it exploded.
"The security forces have foiled the attacks and terrorist group did not manage to hit their target," the police officer said.
Some security officers said the Syl hotel was the intended target of the attack. The hotel is frequented by the government officials and high profile businessmen.
Witnesses said they heard two huge blasts near the presidential palace. "I heard blasts followed by gunfire. Heavily armed forces cordoned off the area," eye witness Mustafa Ahmed told Xinhua.
The al-Qaida allied terrorist group, al-Shabab, has claimed responsibility for the latest attack in the restive capital, saying its militants conducted the operation but did no say the number of casualties.
The attack comes barely a week after a similar attack on a building housing interior and security ministry killed at least 12 people and injured 17 others. The terror group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for last week's attack.
