MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A police officer in Somalia says a suicide car bomber thought to be targeting a former governor detonated his explosives in the town of Baidoa, killing at least 11 people.

Mohamed Salad said at least 20 others were wounded in the Monday bombing. Salad said three soldiers were among those killed.

The bombing took place in a crowded business district in Baidoa, in southwest Somalia, where members of the militant group al-Shabab control a lot of territory.

Al-Shabab has carried out dozens of bomb attacks in Mogadishu and other cities in recent years. The militant group is under pressure from African Union troops attacking the territory it controls.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.