...... the personification of Somali state failure...hard boy group which attempts to topple the UN-backed government.
Eyewitnesses told Radio Shabelle by phone that a security checkpoint at the busy KPP junction within Hodon district came under assault during the evening hours.
The police and intelligence soldiers manning the checkpoint thwarted the attack that began with grenade explosion and followed by shootout with the al-Shabaab button men.
There was no immediate confirmation of the casualties as result of the overnight al-Shabaab attack in the seaside city. Police beefed up security in the areas afterwards.
Al-Shabaab stepped up attacks in Mogadishu in response to military offensive in its strongholds in central and southern region by government forces with the support of local people.