Breaking News! Somalia truck bomb targets Mogadishu’s SYL Hotel

A truck bomb has exploded outside a resort Mogadishu, in Somalia’s capital, in a heavily protected area close to the gates of the presidential palace.

A BBC reporter says politicians are among the wounded and at least five people are reported to have died.

The Islamist al-Shabab group, which is affiliated to al-Qaeda, says it’s behind the assault.

The Somali Youth League (SYL) Hotel is a popular meeting place for officials and continues to be targeted before.

Local media report a security conference was scheduled to happen at the resort on Tuesday.

The BBC’s Ibrahim Aden in Mogadishu says journalists and politicians are among those being treated at the city’s principal Medina Hospital.

An eyewitness told the BBC Somali Service he didn’t believe there were present at the hotel, contrary to some early reports.

A bomb at a perimeter fence has been followed by an assault by militants.

Al-Shabab is fighting to oust Somalia’s UN backed government and establish an Islamic state.

It was forced out of Mogadishu five years ago by African Union (AU) and government troops, but has continued to carry out bombings in the city.

The group seems to be stepping up its attacks ahead of planned elections with a president expected to be elected by MPs, in Somalia in October.