2 killed, 4 others injured in car bombing in Somali capital

MOGADISHU -- At least two people were killed and six others injured when a suicide car bomb struck a European Union (EU) mission convoy in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, medical sources said Monday.

Abdikadir Abdirrahman, director of Amin Ambulances, told Xinhua by phone that emergency crew have transported four injured people and two bodies.

"We have taken four people sustaining injuries and two bodies," Abdikadir said.

The blast occurred near the Somali defense ministry where a convoy of Italian troops was passing by.

Police sources said no member of the Italian troops were killed or injured.

Witnesses reported seeing huge plume of smoke rising over the place.

"It was so huge; we learnt that foreign troops were targeted. Somali forces arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area," one eyewitness, Duniyo Ali, told Xinhua.

Militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the latest attack, saying the car rammed into a convoy carrying Italian military advisers and trainers operating under the EU Training Mission in Somalia.

The Italian defense ministry has reportedly confirmed that no Italian soldiers were hurt in the attack.