Mortar attack targeting Somalia’s presidential palace wounds at least 5

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – At least five people including two high school students and a woman were wounded when a mortar targeting Somalia’s presidential palace rocked the Somali capital Mogadishu on Tuesday, an official said.

Osman Mohamed, a security official in Mogadishu, told Anadolu over the phone that several mortar shells that they believed were aimed at the presidential palace hit the Warta Nabada and Hamarwayne districts of the capital, wounding at least five civilians, including two students about 14-16 years old.

“I can’t tell you if some shells landed inside the presidential palace but three landed near the national theatre, which is very close to the presidential compound,” he said.

“A school in the Harmarwayne district was also hit, and mortar explosions were heard in parts of the capital,” he added.

Residents who spoke to Anadolu said they saw wounded people being transported by ambulance and paramedics to local hospitals for treatment.

Al-Shabaab claimed the attack, saying it had targeted the president’s residence with three shells landing inside the state house. It said it had also targeted the Information Ministry building and the parliament meeting hall.

The attack comes days after al-Shabaab attacked the Mogadishu City Hall, claiming the lives of at least five civilians.