Official: Four Gunmen Killed in Somalia Conference Attack

Somali security forces shot dead four suspected Shebab insurgents on Thursday, foiling an attack on a political conference in the central town of Adado, officials said.

More than 400 local politicians, leaders and clan elders were meeting in the town to discuss the formation of a regional government when the gunmen tried to storm the building, with one blowing himself up in a bid to breach the gates.

"Four Shebab militants tried to storm the conference center in Adado this morning but the security forces stopped them," said security official Mohamed Sugule in the town, some 500 kilometers (300 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu.

"One of them detonated himself at the gate to let others make their way into the compound, but all of them have been killed."

Halimo Ismail Yarey, a key organizer of the conference, said all those at the meeting were safe.

The attack comes at the start of Islam's holy month of Ramadan. The al-Qaida-linked Shebab have in past years intensified attacks during the month of fasting.

Somali government and African Union troops from Ethiopia were providing security for the conference, which began in early May. Leaders are discussing ways to establish an administration within the framework of Somalia's federal system.

The Shebab, who are fighting to overthrow the country's internationally-backed government, warned participants they would be attacked. 

Somali government soldiers and troops with the AU force face frequent bomb attacks and ambushes launched by the Shebab Islamists.