Armed men have attacked the presidential palace in Somalia -- but it appears that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was not harmed.
Witnesses in Mogadishu say the attack Friday began with a car explosion. Afterward, men carrying guns and hand grenades tried to fight their way into the heavily-guarded compound.
Initial reports say several soldiers were killed along with Mohamud Indha-Asse, chief of staff in the prime minister's office.
The U.N. special representative in Somalia, Nick Kay, said in a Twitter message that the president called him to say he was unharmed.
Militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The al-Qaida-linked group was pushed out of Mogadishu by African Union and Somali government forces in 2011, but has continued to mount periodic attacks in the city.
Witnesses in Mogadishu say the attack Friday began with a car explosion. Afterward, men carrying guns and hand grenades tried to fight their way into the heavily-guarded compound.
Initial reports say several soldiers were killed along with Mohamud Indha-Asse, chief of staff in the prime minister's office.
The U.N. special representative in Somalia, Nick Kay, said in a Twitter message that the president called him to say he was unharmed.
Militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The al-Qaida-linked group was pushed out of Mogadishu by African Union and Somali government forces in 2011, but has continued to mount periodic attacks in the city.