Al Shabaab Launches Deadly Attack on Somalia's Parliament Building

Somali militants launched a complex attack on the parliament building in Mogadishu on Saturday, killing at least 10 and wounding more, according to police and witnesses.

Government sources have blamed the elaborate assault on al Shabaab, a group linked to al Qaeda, which have carried out several similar attacks in prominent targets in the nation's capital.

The latest attack began when a car bomb exploded in front of the gates of parliament just before midday Saturday local time.

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In video filmed from a nearby rooftop with views of the parliament complex, several explosions and gunfire could be heard ringing out over the wind and hum of local traffic.

"Ten government forces died and 14 others were injured in the attack today," a police spokesman, told reporters at the scene. "Four lawmakers were also injured. Seven of the fighters who attacked the house were also killed as you see their bodies."

One of the soldiers was killed when he attempted to block a suicide bomber from entering the building, while at least six attackers died in the ensuing crossfire, according to the Associated Press.

Two members of parliament were injured when they were struck by bullets as the politicians scrambled to flee the building.

The government has not yet released a final death and injury count.

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A spokesman for al Shabaab confirmed the group's involvement in the attack, telling the AFP new agency "the so-called Somali parliament is a military zone. Our fighters are there to carry out a holy operation."

Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed praised the swift response of security forces in a statement saying the terrorists have reprised their position "against all Somalis by killing our innocent brothers and sisters."

But some frightened members of parliament criticized the army to protect them and prevent the attack.

"The enemy can now access everywhere," one legislator, Mohamed Nor, told the Associated Press.

At a press conference held later in the afternoon, Ahmed revealed to reporters he had directed the military to "crush the enemy who merely cares about killing our people."

— Government Spokesman (@Ridwaanhaji)May 24, 2014

I praised the swift and decisive response of Somali security forces to the attack on the Somali Parliament today.

— @SomaliPM (@SomaliPM)May 24, 2014

Al Shabaab, which once controlled vast areas of the country, were pushed out of major cities in 2011 and 2012 by allied African Union forces.

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But the group, which advocates the strict Wahhabi form of Islam, has retained control in parts of southern and central Somalia and has launched several high profile attacks against the government and security forces since then.

The latest attack follows last month's killing of two parliamentarians in separate bombing and shooting attacks in Mogadishu, and echoes February's assault on the Presidential Palace, which left at least 16 dead.

The group also previously claimed responsibility for a Kenyan mall attack, which killed 67 people in Nairobi last year.