Somali authorities say an hours-long militant assault on the main court complex in the country's capital, Mogadishu, killed at least 22 people Sunday.

Mogadishu medical officials tell VOA the two top lawyers who recently defended an alleged rape victim and the journalist who interviewed her are among the victims.

Earlier, the commander of security forces at the courts told VOA at least nine militants were involved in the attack.

Authorities say the militants were dressed in Somali military uniforms when they stormed the main court building and started shooting at the security guards on duty. Witnesses then say they heard several explosions.

Hours later, a car bomb exploded near the airport in the capital, reportedly damaging a vehicle carrying Turkish citizens. Details about that incident are still unclear.

The al-Qaida-linked Islamist rebel group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on the court complex.

Earlier this month, Britain warned that it believed “terrorists are in the final stages of planning attacks in Mogadishu.”

Somali President Hassan Mohamud strongly condemned Sunday’s attacks, saying in a statement “a few desperate terrorists” would not keep Somalia from moving forward toward peace and stability.