July 8, 2014
Al-Shabab fighters in Somalia claim they have gained control of the country’s presidential palace in the capital Mogadishu.
The fighters launched a major bomb and armed assault against the palace late on Tuesday and managed to penetrate the heavily-fortified complex.
“Our commandos are inside the so-called presidential office,” al-Shabab spokesman Abdulaziz Abu Musab said, adding that they were in control of the complex.
Somali officials confirmed the attack and said President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed were not inside the palace at the time and were “both safe.” Read more
The state forces have however taken back the palace.