Mogadishu,-Somali police say at least 17 people have been killed in attacks near the presidential palace in the capital Mogadishu that have been claimed by the Islamist terrorist group al-Shabaab.
At least 25 others were wounded in the bombings on Saturday morning, police officer Ahmed Bashane said.
Seven police officers, a prominent Somali journalist, and many civilians were among the dead, he said.
An explosive-laden vehicle blew up at a military checkpoint near the palace and the National Theatre around 9:30 am (0630 GMT), damaging nearby buildings and sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
The suicide attacker detonated his explosives as security forces conducted a search of the vehicle, officer Ali Hassan Kulmiye said. The loud boom could be heard across the city on what is a normal business day in Somalia.