Al-Shabaab militants launched an attack Somalia 's parliament headquarters Saturday , leaving at least 10 people dead and more than 11 others wounded , witnesses and officials said . Members of the parliament were among those wounded after gunmen loyal to the al Qaeda-affiliated terror group stormed the facility in Mogadishu , according to witnesses and official accounts . Fighters used automatic rifles , heavy machine guns and explosives in an attack that lasted more than three hours , witnesses said . Mohamed Madale , a police spokesman , said security forces later secured the building after the fighters blew themselves up . He said the security forces killed several fighters during the attack . Dahir Mohamed , a police officer who witnessed the attack , said the attackers used a car filled with explosives to get into the parliament building , and killed some of the Somali forces guarding the building on their way in . Smoke and flames could be seen pouring from the building as ambulances pulled up to attend to the wounded lying on the ground . People took cover as security forces moved in , exchanging gunfire with the attackers . Some members of parliament were evacuated from the building . Ali Osman , an ambulance worker at the scene , told CNN that he collected 10 bodies , including those of Somali forces , civil servants and civilians who were caught in the crossfire during the attack . He also said more than 11 others , including members of parliament , also were wounded . A spokesman said on Al-Shabaab 's radio network that the group was responsible for the attack . Prime Minister : Attack does not reflect `` true Islamic faith '' In a statement condemning the attack , Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said , `` The terrorists have once again shown that they are against all Somalis , by killing our innocent brothers and sisters . These cowardly , despicable actions are not a demonstration of the true Islamic faith . '' The U.S. State Department issued a statement condemning the attack . `` We extend our sympathies and condolences to those affected by this heinous act of terrorism , '' deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said in the statement , `` and commend Somali and African Union forces for their swift and courageous response . '' `` We continue to stand firmly with the Federal Government of Somalia and the many international partners working to support its efforts to root out the threat posed by al-Shabaab and to build a more secure and prosperous future for the Somali people , '' Harf said . `` Cowardly acts such as these will not shake our resolve . '' Lawmakers witness carnage . Mohamed Omar , a lawmaker who was inside the parliament building , said that Al-Shabaab fighters wore military uniforms and `` suicide belts . '' Security forces killed at least three of the militants , Omar said . Osman Daallo , a member of parliament , said he saw two colleagues seriously wounded , including a fellow MP `` whose chest was gushing out from blood . '' Mohamed Deyfalah , another MP , said the attack was the worst he has ever witnessed , and he had always believed the heavy security presence at the parliament would have prevented such an attack . One of wounded MPs who asked to remain anonymous said the attack `` indicates the weakness of the government . '' `` Our government is still unable to deal with the terrorists and today 's attack underscores a lack of efficient government , '' the lawmaker said . Late Saturday , Somalia 's security minister , Abdukarim Hussein Guled , resigned as a result of the attack . `` I bear witness that the 22 months I have been in the office , we managed to improve the security situation of the country , especially Mogadishu , '' the minister said , `` but now it is time to resign so that someone else who is better than me can take over the office . '' Al-Shabaab 's aim is to turn Somalia into a fundamentalist Islamic state , though it has carried out attacks in other African countries , as well . The group carried out the mall attack in Nairobi , Kenya , in September that left at least 67 people dead . The group has increased the use of suicide attacks in recent years , though these have been somewhat rare in Somalia . It is believed that veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are helping train al-Shabaab fighters . Learn more about Al-Shabaab .
Somali security minister resigns in wake of the attacks . Al - Qaeda militants attacked building with explosives , reportedly . Fighters blew themselves up ; building has been destroyed , police spokesman said . Somali Interior Minister calls attack ` ` cowardly , despicable ''