At least 10 people have been killed in a suicide bombing near the Somali president's palace in Mogadishu, which caused a huge blast and destroyed two hotels nearby, according to police.
Reuters news agency said al-Shabab fighters claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack.
Al Jazeera has learned that at least 10 people, including government soldiers, died in the attack and 20 others were wounded.
Witnesses and social media users reported hearing a loud explosion in Mogadishu, followed by gunfire.
"There was a blast close to the SYL Hotel area, near the main checkpoint of the presidential palace," said Ibrahim Mohamed, a security officer.