Death toll rises to 12 in Mogadishu prison attack

 Twelve people, including three security officers and two civilians were killed in Sunday's Mogadishu prison attack, Somali Presidency said.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on the prison where militant Al-Shabaab members are thought to be held. Seven of its fighters were also killed.
"Al-Shabaab seeks to distract from loss of key towns like Bulo Marer by launching headline grabbing but ultimately unsuccessful attacks," Somali Presidency said.
African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) with Somali National Army on Saturday captured a strategic town of Bulo Marer in Lower Shabelle region from the group. The town is 115 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu. The forces also captured two other small towns of Goolweyn and Jerlio during the operation.
AMISON said it is also seeking to liberate the port city of Baraawe, one of the remaining sources of illicit revenue for the group.
Witnesses said the bodies of seven dead militants laid strewn near the prison while government forces took up positions in and around the area.
The prison located in the south of the capital where government intelligence agency interrogates suspected Al-Shabaab members.
"They tried to gain access to the prison but they were repulsed by the security forces. Some of them were eliminated and others fled and are being pursued by the police," police officer Ali Omar told Xinhua.
The attack started with a suicide car bomb explosion near the high-security prison and subsequent firefight ensued between militant fighters and Somali government forces backed by AMISOM, witnesses said.
Several explosions were heard around the prison, they said.