Somali Police: Suicide Bombing Kills Three, Injures Two in Mogadishu

Map of Somalia highlighting Mogadishu.

MOGADISHU — A suicide bomb blast in Somalia's capital city Mogadishu killed three people and injured two others, authorities said on Tuesday, with the militant group al-Shabaab claiming responsibility for the attack.

While being pursued by police, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Al Hindi restaurant in Mogadishu's Hamar Weyne district, police spokesman Sadik Ali said.

The al-Qaida-affiliated al-Shabaab group said in a statement that the blast had targeted local security officials. It said there were casualties, without providing a number.

Al-Shabaab frequently attacks military outposts and civilian and government targets as part of a campaign to topple Somalia's government and establish its own rule based on its interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.