Car bomb blast in Somali capital kills 14 people

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia

At least 14 people were killed and more than six wounded when a car bomb exploded on the busiest street in Somalia’s capital Thursday, according to a security official.

Somalia's Internal Security Ministry Spokesman Abdi Asis Hildhiban confirmed the casualties during a news conference at the blast site in Mogadishu.

He said the attack targeted a busy restaurant near Weheliye Hotel.

"The attack was a suicide car bombing which targeted civilians, mostly at the restaurant and a barber shop next to it," he said.

Weheliye Hotel is located in central Mogadishu along Maka Al-Mukarama Street, the busiest street in the capital.

Somali-based al-Qaeda affiliated group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on the Internet.

Last October, at least 300 people died in a double car bombing in Mogadishu, the deadliest attack in modern Somali history.