The Somalia-based Islamist militant group, al-Shabab, claimed responsibility for the attack.
ADVERTISEMENTAt least 18 people have been killed after two car bomb attacks in Somalia's capital Mogadishu.
Islamist militant group al Shabaab have claimed responsibility for the blasts,
Police said the first car bomb went off after militants breached a checkpoint near the president's residence by shooting at security personnel.
The second blast was in a car parked in front of a hotel away from the palace.
Security forces shot dead five gunmen suspected of trying to attack the building.
Al Shabaab have claimed responsibility for previous bombings and gun attacks in the capital.
Mogadishu was the target of a truck bombing in October that killed over 500 people in the deadliest attack in the nation's history. Al Shabaab did not claim responsibility for that incident.