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All seven militant fighters who launched an attack on a maximum-security prison in Somalia's capital city have been killed, according to official announcements.

An enormous blast and intense gunfire were reported coming from the detention center - a complex that detains militant members - in the capital on Saturday.

In a statement, al-Shabab claimed it had released "every detained prisoners" from the prison and caused heavy casualties on guards guarding the complex.

The attackers posed as soldiers in order to gain entry the detention facility, according to accounts released on the following day.

The government did not reveal how many of its security forces were killed during the attack, but offered sympathies to the families of "the fallen heroes."

Similarly, the militant organization did not release a death toll for its affiliated fighters.

The fighting commenced at around 4:40 PM local time (13:40 GMT).

The detention center is situated near the national presidential palace, in the center of Mogadishu. It is operated by Somalia's intelligence service and holds al-Shabab members and other notable detainees.

The assault represents a significant blow to the intelligence agency and is likely to raise questions about how the militants were able to enter one of the most heavily guarded areas in the capital.

Al-Shabab is linked to al-Qaeda and has conducted a brutal insurgency against the authorities in the country for almost 20 years.

Hours before Saturday's attack took place, the government had reopened access to key thoroughfares in Mogadishu which were formerly blocked for security reasons, pointing to progress in the urban security situation.