MOGADISHU (Reuters) -A suicide car bomb killed at least eight people in the Somali capital on Saturday at a street junction near the president’s palace, police said, and al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab said it was behind the attack which targeted a convoy going into the palace.

Abdifatah Aden Hassan was the spokesperson for the police and said that some victims had been taken home by relatives.

Al Shabaab was behind the attack. Eight people were killed, including a soldier, a mother with two young children and a mother. Al Shabaab kills civilians,” Moalimuu said.

Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu (the government spokesperson) said Hibaq Abukar was among those who were killed. Abukar is an adviser to women and rights issues in Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble’s Office.

On his Facebook page (NASDAQ) he stated that “She was one the pillars [of PM’s] office (for] women affairs.”

The circumstances surrounding the explosion were not clear.

Al Shabaab confirmed the responsibility for the attack. Al Shabaab, which seeks to overthrow government and establish its strict interpretation of Islamic Law, regularly carries out these bombings.

Abdiasis Ab Musab, spokesperson for al Shabaab’s military operation, said that a Mujahid drove a suicide bomber car to target a convoy going into the presidential palace.

Witnesses to the attack by Reuters reported that the blast destroyed seven cars, three rickshas and left the junction in ruins.