At least eight people have been killed following reports of two explosions in Somalia.

The blasts happened near Mogadishu airport, according to a security source quoted by AFP.

Al Jazeera says two vehicles with explosives were detonated near a base for African Union (AU) troops next to the main airport.

The first blast reportedly happened near an entrance used by AU forces, and the second at a checkpoint manned by Somali government forces.

The al-Shabab armed group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

"Our Mujahideen targeted Halane which is base to the foreign forces occupying our Muslim country. We have killed dozens of them," Abdulaziz Abu Muscab, a spokesman for the group told Al Jazeera.