At least 10 people have been killed in a car bomb attack in the Somali capital Mogadishu that targeted a government building and was claimed by Islamist insurgents.

"More than 10 persons died, 20 others were wounded. The explosion destroyed the building of Wadajir District headquarters.

More than 10 cars were destroyed in the explosion," Abdifatah Omar Halane, spokesman for the Mogadishu mayor, said.

Al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab said it was a car bomb targeting a building housing government officials.

Al Shabaab said they were behind the blast.

Al Shabaab frequently launches attacks on the capital Mogadishu and other regions controlled by Somalia's federal government. It aims to force out African Union peacekeepers, topple the Western-backed government and impose its strict version of Islam.