Qaeda offshoot targets UN office in Somalia,16 killed

Seven al-Qaeda-linked gunmen detonated a pick-up truck rigged with explosives at the gate of the UN compound in Somalia’s capital Wednesday,launching a bombs-and-gunfire assault that saw militants pour into the complex,killing at least nine people,including three foreigners,officials said.

The al-Shabab militants died during the assault in Mogadishu,an official said,bringing the overall death toll to at least 16. Al-Shabab said on its Twitter feed shortly after the 11:30 am attack began that its fighters “are now in control of the entire compound and the battle is still ongoing.” African Union and Somali security forces responded and took control of the compound by 12:30 pm. The UN staff who sought refuge in the compound’s secure bunker then were evacuated to the secure military base and airport complex across the street,said Ben Parker,a spokesman for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia.