Photos from the bus explosion which killed 18 in Somalia today

The explosion comes less than a week after an attack on a hotel by the Al-Shabaab armed group in Mogadishu killed at least 15 people.

The group, which wants to topple the government, frequently attacks security forces and civilians.

At least 18 civilians were killed when a roadside bomb went off on Thursday in Somalia's Lafole town, southwest of the capital, blowing up a packed mini-bus that was passing by, police said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The Al-Shabaab militants have frequently launched attacks against security forces and civilians around the country in the past. The group wants to topple the Western-backed government.