Deadly suicide attack in Mogadishu claimed by al-Shabaab

A suicide bombing in Mogadishu has killed at least five people, the Turkish health minister has said.

The al-Shabaab group, which is linked to al-Qaida, claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday in the Somali capital in a post from its Shahada news agency. The group often targets Mogadishu with suicide bombings and other attacks.

The Turkish health minister, Fahrettin Koca, said two Turks had been killed. Three others were among 14 people wounded, he tweeted. He did not give the nationalities of the other three people who died.

“We strongly condemn this heinous attack targeting the employees of a Turkish company that built the Mogadishu-Afgoye road and contributes to the development and prosperity of Somalia,” a foreign ministry statement said.

Turkish security sources said the suicide bomber used a motorcycleto launch the attack 8 miles (15 km) from a Turkish military base, which was not affected. The base is Turkey’s largest military installation abroad.

Turkey is also active in Somalia in the development, health and education fields, and al-Shabaab has targeted it personnel and installations in the past.