article_snippet: the attack began when a car bomb detonated at the gate of the state palace, some 250 kilometers (155 miles) northwest of the capital, Mogadishu.
article_snippet: The African Union's special representative for Somalia, Ambassador Maman S. Sidikou, condemned the attack, saying the attack had targeted troops who have worked to restore peace to Baidoa.
article_snippet: Sidikou said Sidikou had also received reports of an attempted attack at a Mogadishu hotel Wednesday night.
article_snippet: U.S. authorities downplayed the threat.
article_snippet: CNN's Laura Smith-Spark and Nana Karikari-apau contributed to this report.
highlights_snippet: The African Union's Somalia representative condemns the attack, says the attack targeted troops .
  