MOGADISHU (SD) – A suicide car bombing that targeted a security checkpoint near the presidential palace in Mogadishu has killed at least seven people including government soldiers and wounded more than others, police confirmed.

The Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) targeted several vehicles waiting to pass through the security checkpoint between Waberi and Hamarweyne districts near Villa Somalia.

“A suicide car bomb that exploded at Ceelgaab junction killed seven people and injured eight others,” Muawiye Mudeey, district commissioner of Mogadishu’s Hamarjajab district told Reuters.

According to witnesses, seven cars and three rickshaws destroyed by the blast.

Al-Shabaab claimed the responsibility for the attack saying it was targeting senior government officials.

The militant group was drove out of the capital in 2011 following days long fierce fighting with Somali military backed forces of African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom).

 Today’s blast comes barely a day after a suicide bomber blew himself up near a Somali military headquarters in the capital Mogadishu.

The attack hit the area near Villa Baidoa, the Somali military’s second headquarters in Mogadishu, according to police spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan.

“At around 15.03 p.m. (1203GMT), a suicide bomber blew himself up between Madina Hospital and Villa Baidoa. There were no casualties, except for the suicide bomber,” Hassan said in a statement.

No casualties were reported from the attack.