Militants attempt prison break-out in northern Somalia; 3 guards killed

MOGADISHU, Somalia – A government official says that about 20 armed Islamic extremists attacked a prison in northern Somalia in an attempt to free prisoners.

An official in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland said on Saturday that prison guards repelled the attack on Friday night in which two guards were wounded.

The official said al-Shabab militants were suspected of carrying out the attack in Bossaso. The official insisted on anonymity because he's not an official spokesman.

A resident, Mohamed Abdulqadir, said he heard an hour-long gun battle. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.