Somalia: Suicide bomber kills 13 at police academy

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A suicide bomber has killed at least 13 Police officers and wounded 20 in a Police Training Academy in the Somali capital, Mogadishu on Thursday morning, Garowe Online reports.

A bomber dressed in a Police uniform detonated his explosives in the General Kahiye camp during a rehearsal parade for the commemoration of the 74th anniversary of the Police Foundation slated for 20th Dec.

"The attacker detonated his suicide vest among hundreds of Police soldiers as they were in the line for a rehearsal parade in the early hours on Thursday morning," said Mahad Osman, a Police officer told GO.

The wounded have been taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. Female Police officers were among those killed in the suicide attack, he added.

Images showed thick grey plumes of smoke rising into the sky before ambulances rushed to the scene following the powerful explosion which took place at around 7:30 a.m.

The Al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group Al Shabaab has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Andalus Radio, its official news agency.

GAROWE ONLINE