Eleven people were killed including a deputy minister after Al Shabaab gunmen stormed a government building in the capital Mogadishu on Saturday.
In the latest bombing claimed by the Islamists, a huge explosion was heard in the city centre and a large plume of smoke rose above a building housing Somalia’s ministries of Labour and Works.
Gunfire could be heard in the ensuing battle.
Police later said the fighting at the building had ended after the militants were killed.
“The building was secured by security forces. The four militants who attacked the building were shot dead. Another militant was a suicide car bomber and so he also died,” Major Ali Abdullahi, a police officer told Reuters.
Mr Abdullahi said those killed included deputy Labour and Social Affairs minister Mr Saqar Ibrahim Abdalla and police officers.
Mr Abdalla was also a lawmaker.