Claimed by the Al-Shabaab
...
the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...group, the assault was a sign of the insurgency's continued ability to strike at the heart of Somalia's government, despite years of foreign military support for Mogadishu.
The fighting began with two blasts at the gates of the complex housing the labour and works ministries.
Police say at least four button men then stormed the buildings, leading to a shootout as officers rushed to confront the attackers.
"The corpse count reached eleven, three of them women, and the number of maimed is 15," said Abdukadir Abdirahman Adan, director of Mogadishu's Aamin ambulance service.
Senator Ilyas Ali Hassan confirmed that Saqar Ibrahim Abdalla, the deputy minister for labour and social affairs, was also killed.
"I cannot elaborate on how he died but I can confirm that he was killed inside the ministry building," Hassan said.