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All seven al-Shabab fighters who carried out an assault on a high-security detention facility in the capital have been eliminated, according to official announcements.

A massive explosion and intense gunfire were reported coming from the detention center - a complex that holds militant members - in the capital on Saturday.

In a statement, al-Shabab claimed it had freed "all Muslim inmates" from the facility and caused heavy casualties on guards protecting the center.

The militants posed as military personnel in order to access the prison, according to reports published on Sunday.

The authorities did not reveal how many of its personnel were killed during the incident, but offered condolences to the families of "the fallen heroes."

Similarly, al-Shabab did not release a death toll for its own fighters.

The fighting began at around 16:40 local time (1:40 PM GMT).

The detention center is situated near the Somali palace compound, in the heart of the capital. It is operated by the country's intelligence service and detains militant members and other notable detainees.

The attack represents a major blow to the security forces and is likely to prompt questions about how the attackers were able to enter one of the most heavily guarded locations in the capital.

The militant group is affiliated to the global terrorist network and has conducted a violent campaign against the authorities in Somalia for almost two decades.

Just hours before the incident occurred, the authorities had reopened major thoroughfares in Mogadishu which were previously blocked for security reasons, citing improvements in the city's safety.