3 killed in mortar attack in Somali capital

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - At least three people, including two children, were killed and five others were wounded by a mortar attack Thursday in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

The mortar attacks occurred in Warta Nabada district, where the Somali presidential palace is located, police said.

Police sergeant Ali Ahmed in the district confirmed to Anadolu Agency over the phone that four mortars had landed in the district resulting in three deaths.

“We have seen three people dead including two children and five others including a woman also wounded,“ Ahmed said.

The attack comes hours after the presidential palace hosted a handover ceremony between new President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and the former leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Somali insurgent group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the mortar attacks via the pro-insurgent radio Andalus.