Bomb attack kills 13 Somali soldiers

At least 13 members of Somalia's security forces including a senior commander have been killed in a roadside bombing attack.

The bomb hit a convoy belonging to regional intelligence units of the Galmudug state, senior military official General Masud Mohamud said.

The convoy was travelling near the town of Dhusamareeb, about 400 kilometres north of the capital Mogadishu.

The town hosted the country's leaders last week as they held talks over Somalia's delayed election.

"We are getting terrible reports that 13 security men are all killed in the blast which destroyed their vehicle in the Galmudug province," Mohamud said.

Among those killed was a senior regional intelligence officer.

Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack on its Andalus radio station.

The group has intensified attacks in the Galmudug state in central Somalia as the country's federal leaders convened in Dhusamareeb.

Some leaders are still in Galmudug for a local celebration.

Last week scores of al-Shabab fighters were killed during a gun battle with the Somali military outside the key town.