A huge blast that seems to have been aimed at a United Nations convoy has left at least eight people dead and several wounded in the Somali capital, with armed group Al-Shabab claiming responsibility.
A deadly explosion has torn through the capital city of Mogadishu, Somalia, leaving at least eight people dead and many wounded according to local officials and news reports.
The bombing occurred outside a local school and comes at a time when the country is navigating election difficulties and suffering a massive drought.
The attack seems to have targeted a convoy that provides security for United Nations operations in the area.
The Al-Qaeda associated Islamist extremist group Al-Shabab has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a news website associated with the group, with the objective being to target Western officials being escorted by convoy.
Police spokesperson Abdifatah Aden Hassan confirmed to local reporters that at least eight deaths and 17 wounded in the blast.
Al-Shabab has increased the frequency of their attacks in Somalia in recent months, coming at a time when the African Union mandated peacekeeping force was supposed to withdraw from the country – however, this may be extended given the degree of instability and possibility of further challenges to the long-delayed presidential vote.