The Somali government and the African Union (AU) on Saturday separately condemned the deadly twin explosions that hit a Mogadishu mosque, expressing "shock and sadness at the killing of innocent civilians".

The attacks which left almost 35 dead and more than 70 others injured took place in a packed mosque in the main Bakara market in the south of the Somali capital.

Somali information minister Dahir Mohamoud Gelle told reporters that the Somali government was saddened by the attacks and he, on behalf of the government, sent deep condolences to the families of those affected by the blast.

Gelle described the attacks as unprecedented in Somalia because it targeted a place of worship.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia Ambassador Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra condemned in the strongest terms possible the attacks and all attacks targeting public places especially those of worship such as the mosque.

"Indiscriminate attacks on public places like today's incident cannot be condoned. I, on behalf of the African Union, would like to call upon all warring parties in the Somali conflict to stop such barbaric attacks on innocent civilian population." said Ambassador Diarra in a statement.

The AU envoy sent his condolences to the families and relatives of those who have lost their lives and prays for quick recovery of those injured during this incident, the statement added.

Almost 5,000 AU peacekeepers are based in the government- controlled part of the Somali capital backing the fragile administration's forces. The forces come under almost daily attacks from Islamist fighters.

Ambassador Diarra says it is regrettable to note that while the AU and its partners are investing huge resources to help the country achieve sustainable peace and security, killing of innocent civilians continues as various groups target public places in the conflict.

The African Union said it is closely monitoring and assessing the impact of the attacks on the mosque in the Bakara neighborhood.

The Islamist Al Shabaab movement blamed the attacks on "local collaborators" which it termed as foreign security firms operating in Mogadishu.