Five prisoners who allegedly belonged to the jihadist group al-Shabaab and three guards were killed in a shooting incident in connection with an escape attempt from a prison in Mogadishu, Somalia.
An additional 18 inmates were injured in the incident.
The extremists had managed to obtain weapons and made what appeared to be a well-planned escape attempt, according to security sources.
Violent elements tried to spread fear in the central prison. Investigations are ongoing and the injured are receiving care, said Abdiqani Khalaf, a colonel within the correctional services.
Neighboring residents report hearing grenade explosions and machine gun fire. An explosion inside the prison was followed by a shootout.
The Islamic extremist group al-Shabaab has been trying to overthrow the government in Mogadishu for over 17 years. The government has teamed up with local militias to combat the terrorist group, and receives support from forces from the African Union and American airstrikes.
The offensive against the terrorist group has, however, suffered setbacks. Al-Shabaab has previously this year claimed to have taken control of several towns in the country's central regions.
