By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – At least 16 people were killed, 17 others wounded in a car bomb blast in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Thursday, officials said.

Mohamed Bulle, a police officer, told Anadolu Agency over the phone that the attack targeted a busy restaurant on the Maka al-Mukarama road in Mogadishu.

“A huge car bomb blast exploded in front of the Filsan Restaurant near Dabka junction at the Maka al-Mukarama road, killing at least 11 people” Bulle said.

Since Thursday, the death toll has increased to 17, according to the police.

Terrorist group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the deadly blast in Mogadishu.

Additional report by The Muslim News

[Photo: Photo of an earlier terrorist bombing by Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group al-Shabaab with a bomb-laden vehicle near two ministry buildings in the Somalia capital Mogadishu which killed at least 5 people on March 23, 2019. Photographer: Sadak Mohamed/AA]