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Seven al-Shabab fighters who launched an assault on a high-security detention facility in Somalia's capital have been eliminated, according to government statements.

A massive explosion and sustained shooting were reported coming from the detention center - a facility that holds militant fighters - in Mogadishu on Saturday.

In a communication, the militant group claimed it had released "every detained inmates" from the prison and inflicted heavy losses on guards guarding the center.

The militants posed as military personnel in order to gain entry the prison, according to reports published on the following day.

The authorities did not reveal how many of its personnel were killed during the attack, but expressed condolences to the families of "those who perished."

Likewise, al-Shabab did not release a casualty count for its own fighters.

The clash began at around 16:40 in the afternoon (13:40 GMT).

Godka Jilicow is situated near the national presidential palace, in the center of the capital. It is operated by Somalia's intelligence service and holds al-Shabab fighters and other notable prisoners.

The attack represents a major setback to the intelligence agency and is likely to raise concerns about how the militants were able to enter one of the most heavily guarded areas in the capital.

Al-Shabab is linked to the global terrorist network and has conducted a brutal insurgency against the government in Somalia for nearly 20 years.

Hours before Saturday's incident occurred, the authorities had reopened key roads in the capital which were formerly closed for safety concerns, citing improvements in the city's security situation.