Car bomb explodes near Turkish embassy in Somalia’s capital

A Somali police officer says a car bomber has prematurely detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near the new Turkish embassy compound in the capital, Mogadishu.

Police opened fire on the car Thursday evening when the bomber refused their orders to stop at a checkpoint near the beachside embassy.

Capt. Mohamed Hussein says the driver detonated the car bomb in the middle of the road. It was not immediately known if anyone was killed.

The target of the bomber remains unclear. Several beachside restaurants near the embassy have come under attack by militants before.