2nd LD Writethru: Four attackers killed in Somali government building assault

Four attackers were killed when they attempted to storm a government compound in Mogadishu's Shibis district following a blast Sunday, authorities said.

"The attackers were four wearing Somali military uniform, and we have managed to kill all of them," Interior Ministry spokesman, Mohamed Yusuf, told media after the attack.

Somali forces have foiled the offensive, he said, denying that there were casualties among government forces.

Gunmen on Sunday morning attempted to storm the building of the security training base near the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) headquarters and exchanged gunfire with Somali forces shorly after they detonated a car bomb outside the building.

Nayros Abdullahi, one of the residents in the Shibis district, told Xinhua that she heard a loud explosion followed by a heavy gunfire near the building of the NISA headquarters.

"It was early in the morning and we were shocked after hearing the blast because it was a huge explosion," said Abdullahi.

Another resident Elmi Sacid told Xinhua that three civilians from one family were also injured in the blast.

Somali militant group Al-Shabaab later claimed responsibility for the attack.

Al-Shabaab militants have reportedly vowed to step up attacks on government bases and African peacekeeping forces in Mogadishu during the holy month of Ramadan.

On Saturday, the militants raided a police station at the outskirts of Mogadishu, killing eight police officers. Endi