Gunmen threw grenades and a land mine exploded near the convoy of Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Geed, killing three bodyguards and wounding five others, residents said.
The attacks occurred shortly after Mr Geed arrived for a visit to the Somali capital of Mogadishu - a stronghold of powerful warlords and Islamic extremists opposed to his divided transitional government, according to the Horn Africa radio station.
The attacks occurred near the Hotel Ramadan, where Mr Geed and his entourage planned to stay, the station reported.
On May 3th, an explosion went off just 10 yards from Mr Geed during his first visit to Mogadishu since he took office last year. He was not harmed and said the incident was an accident, but others suspect the blast was an attempt to kill him and guarantee his exiled government never takes power.
Mr Geed and President Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed have set up operations in Jowhar, 90 56 miles northwest of the capital, saying Mogadishu is considered unsafe. Their rivals have set up operations in Mogadishu and are pressing the rest of the government to move to the city recognised under the constitution as the capital.
Yusuf said he will only move to Mogadishu when it is safe and the government is ready.
AP