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Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has said the attack at the National Theatre on Wednesday (April 4th) will not deter the government's efforts to fight al-Shabaab, Somalia's Garowe Online reported.

"This will neither scare us nor will it deter us from our path," Ali said at a press conference in Mogadishu hours after the explosion, "Al-Shabaab is facing defeat, which is why they are reverting to weak and despicable tactics such as these."

At least six people were killed and 10 were injured when a young woman reportedly detonated an explosives belt, which targeted Ali and other officials during a celebration for the one-year anniversary of the government's television station.

"Innocent civilians were killed in the blast and the TFG government is working to improve our security so such attacks like these do not happen," Ali said, thanking security officials, troops and policemen for successfully stopping other similar attacks in Mogadishu countless times.

Security forces are on high alert in the capital, deputy security chief of Banaadir region, Warsame Mohammed Jodah, told Somalia's Shabelle Media network on Wednesday.

Mogadishu has been plagued by suicide and grenade attacks since the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab movement abandoned fixed bases in the capital last August and reverted to guerrilla tactics.

The premier passed on his condolences to the families of those killed in the blast including Somali Olympic Committee president Adaan Haaji Yabaroow "Wiish" and Somali Football Federation chief Said Mohamed Nur "Mugaanbe".