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(Image: TWITTER)

Early reports suggest a truck filled with explosives was detonated at a security checkpoint near the entrance.

White smoke could be seen billowing over the city after the blast on Tuesday.

The al-Shabab armed group have reportedly told Al Jazeera they were responsible for the attack.

(Image: TWITTER)

Police have since confirmed that the attacker set off a car bomb near an African Union peacekeeping base.

There were no immediate details of casualties.

"AU forces sealed the area.

"There were many Somalis outside the gate and there were AU forces at the gate – we have not yet confirmed the casualty figure," police officer Major Nur Osman said.

Initial reports suggested the blast hit UN headquarters in the area – but these were later ruled out as being false.