Two car bombs killed at least 23 people and injured more than 30 in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on Saturday — and the Islamic militant group al Shabaab quickly claimed responsibility.

One car rammed into a hotel, Nasa-Hablod Two, and armed militants stormed the building, police said.

A few minutes later a car bomb exploded near the former parliament building.

Bombs in Mogadishu two weeks ago killed some 358 people, the worst such attacks in the country’s history. Al Shabaab is widely suspected, but has not claimed responsibility.

In the latest attack, local officials said at least 17 people had been wounded.

A spokesman for al Shabaab said, “We targeted ministers and security officials who were inside the hotel. We are fighting inside.”

Al Shabaab is trying to topple Somalia’s internationally-backed government and impose its strict interpretation of Islam’s sharia law.

With Post wires