DHAKA: A suicide car bomb has killed at least four people near Somalia’s parliament, police and Somali media say.

Reports say the bomb went off outside the main gate of parliament after guards shot at the bomber, according to the BBC.

One report quoted al-Shabab militants praising the ‘sacrificial attack’. An attack by the rebels on the building in May left at least 10 people dead.

The Islamist militant group lost control of Mogadishu in 2011 and has since carried out several bombings.

Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, has vowed to step up attacks during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Earlier this week, a prominent MP, Ahmed Mohamud Hayd, was shot dead in the city, in a drive-by attack claimed by al-Shabab.

BDST: 1725 HRS, JULY 05, 2014