May 25, 2014 -- Updated 0957 GMT (1757 HKT)
Smoke and fire rise from Somalia's parliament building in Mogadishu
after an attack by militants. Security forces have killed at least three
Al-Shabaab militants, who were wearing military uniforms and suicide
belts, a lawmaker says. FULL STORY
At least 10 dead in attack on Somalia's parliament building
May 24, 2014 -- Updated 2236 GMT (0636 HKT)
An armed Somali soldier runs to
fight during an attack on the parliament in Mogadishu, Saturday, May 24.
Al-Shabaab militants launched the attack using automatic weapons and
explosives, leaving several dead and wounded, according to witnesses and
officials.
HIDE CAPTION
Attack on Somalia's parliament building
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: Somali security minister resigns in wake of the attacks
- Al-Shabaab militants attacked building with explosives, weapons
- Fighters blew themselves up; building has been secured, police spokesman says
- Somali Prime Minister calls attack "cowardly, despicable"
Members of the parliament
were among those wounded after gunmen loyal to the al Qaeda-affiliated
terror group stormed the facility in Mogadishu, according to witnesses
and official accounts.
Fighters used automatic
rifles, heavy machine guns and explosives in an attack that lasted more
than three hours, witnesses said.
Mohamed Madale, a police
spokesman, said security forces later secured the building after the
fighters blew themselves up. He said the security forces killed several
fighters during the attack.
Dahir Mohamed, a police
officer who witnessed the attack, said the attackers used a car filled
with explosives to get into the parliament building, and killed some of
the Somali forces guarding the building on their way in.
Smoke and flames could be
seen pouring from the building as ambulances pulled up to attend to the
wounded lying on the ground. People took cover as security forces moved
in, exchanging gunfire with the attackers. Some members of parliament
were evacuated from the building.
Ali Osman, an ambulance
worker at the scene, told CNN that he collected 10 bodies, including
those of Somali forces, civil servants and civilians who were caught in
the crossfire during attack.
He also said more than 11 others, including members of parliament, also were wounded.
A spokesman said on Al-Shabaab's radio network that the group was responsible for the attack.
Prime Minister: Attack does not reflect "true Islamic faith"
In a statement
condemning the attack, Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said,
"The terrorists have once again shown that they are against all
Somalis, by killing our innocent brothers and sisters. These cowardly,
despicable actions are not a demonstration of the true Islamic faith."
The U.S. State Department issued a statement condemning the attack.
"We extend our
sympathies and condolences to those affected by this heinous act of
terrorism," deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said in the statement, "and
commend Somali and African Union forces for their swift and courageous
response."
"We continue to stand
firmly with the Federal Government of Somalia and the many international
partners working to support its efforts to root out the threat posed by
al-Shabaab and to build a more secure and prosperous future for the
Somali people," Harf said. "Cowardly acts such as these will not shake
our resolve."
Lawmakers witness carnage
Mohamed Omar, a lawmaker
who was inside the parliament building, said that Al-Shabaab fighters
wore military uniforms and "suicide belts." Security forces killed at
least three of the militants, Omar said.
Osman Daallo, a member
of parliament, said he saw two colleagues seriously wounded, including a
fellow MP "whose chest was gushing out from blood."
Mohamed Deyfalah,
another MP, said the attack was the worst he has ever witnessed, and he
had always believed the heavy security presence at the parliament would
have prevented such an attack.
One of wounded MPs who asked to remain anonymous said the attack "indicates the weakness of the government."
"Our government is still
unable to deal with the terrorists and today's attack underscores a
lack of efficient government," the lawmaker said.
Late Saturday, Somalia's security minister, Abdukarim Hussein Guled, resigned as a result of the attack.
"I bear witness that the
22 months I have been in the office, we managed to improve the security
situation of the country, especially Mogadishu," the minister said,
"but now it is time to resign so that someone else who is better than me
can take over the office."
Al-Shabaab's aim is to
turn Somalia into a fundamentalist Islamic state, though it has carried
out attacks in other African countries, as well. The group carried out
the mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya, in September that left at 67 people
dead.
The group has increased
the use of suicide attacks in recent years, though these have been
somewhat rare in Somalia. It is believed that veterans of the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan are helping train al-Shabaab fighters.
CNN's Brian Walker contributed to this report
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