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Somali security forces shot dead three extremists and foiled an attempt by Al-Shabaab to attack the presidential palace that began with the explosion of a car bomb, police announced Saturday
. The ministry complex in Mogadishu killed at least nine people, again raising questions about the state of security in the most sensitive areas of the Somali capital
including a suicide bomber, said Captain Mohamed Hussein at The Associated Press, the noon attack began when a car bomb exploded near a checkpoint near the presidential palace, after security forces had engaged attacks with gunmen . "There were skirmishes between the security forces and the attackers, then we had a big explosion and a huge boom," said a police spokesman, Osman Ali, told AP
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The al-Shabaab extremist group based in Somalia, a branch of al-Qaeda, often targets prominent places in the capital. Saturday's attack, stating that his fighters were conducting a "major operation" around the palace and near the SYL hotel.
Al-Shabab was accused of the Mogadishu truck bombing that killed more of 500.
The Threat of What Has Become the Most Deadly Islamic Extremist Group Sub-Saharan Africa has undermined efforts to strengthen Somalia's fragile government and stabilize the Horn of Africa nation, which has been chaotic for a long time.
The Trump administration stepped up its military efforts in Somalia, including dozens of drone strikes, against Al-Shabab and a small presence of fighters linked to the Islamic State group. At least two American soldiers were killed.
The US military and other members of the international community have expressed concern over the Somali security forces' plan to ensure the security of an African multinational force in the coming years. saying that the local troops are not ready yet.
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