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Somalia militants attack parliament in Mogadishu Somalia parliament attacked by al-Shabab militants
(35 minutes later)
Explosions and gunfire have been heard in the Somali capital Mogadishu as the parliament came under attack while MPs were meeting. Islamist militants from the al-Shabab movement have attacked the Somali parliament in Mogadishu, leaving several people dead.
The cause of the blasts was not immediately clear. Explosions and gunfire were heard and witnesses reported seeing bodies.
Somalia's first parliament of its own since the collapse of government in 1992 was sworn in two years ago. Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, once controlled large areas of Somalia but was pushed out of major cities in 2011 and 2012.
The fragile Somali government has been waging a war on insurgents of the al-Shabab Islamist movement, who were pushed out of Mogadishu in 2011. However, it is still able to mount complex attacks. It has frequently targeted the UN-backed parliament.
The parliament in Mogadishu - which operated as a transitional assembly from 2004 to 2012 - has been attacked several times, including in 2009 and 2010. "The so-called Somali parliament is a military zone. Our fighters are there to carry out a holy operation," a spokesman told the AFP news agency.
It is not clear whether gunmen managed to get inside the building on Saturday.It is not clear whether gunmen managed to get inside the building on Saturday.
Somalia has experienced almost constant conflict since its government collapsed in 1991.
Some 22,000 African Union troops are helping the fragile UN-backed government battle al-Shabab.
With Mogadishu and other towns now under government control, basic services such as street lighting and rubbish collection have now resumed.
Many Somalis have returned from exile, bringing their money and skills with them.
The parliament in Mogadishu - which operated as a transitional assembly from 2004 to 2012 - has been attacked several times, including in 2009 and 2010.
Last month, a Somali parliamentarian was blown up and another shot dead in separate attacks.Last month, a Somali parliamentarian was blown up and another shot dead in separate attacks.
In February, al-Shabab militants attacked the presidential palace in Mogadishu, leaving at least 16 people dead.In February, al-Shabab militants attacked the presidential palace in Mogadishu, leaving at least 16 people dead.
Some 22,000 African Union troops are helping the government battle al-Shabab.
Although it has lost control of most towns and cities, al-Shabab still dominates in many rural areas.
Al-Shabab, whose name means "The Youth" in Arabic, advocates the strict Saudi-inspired Wahhabi version of Islam.Al-Shabab, whose name means "The Youth" in Arabic, advocates the strict Saudi-inspired Wahhabi version of Islam.
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