Somalia: Six killed in mortar shells attack in Mogadishu

Somalia: Six killed in mortar shells attack in Mogadishu

2012-03-20 11:40:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least six Somali civilians were killed at a refugee camp after mortar shells were fired near the presidential palace on Sunday.

The mortar shells were launched at around midnight on Sunday, striking the heavily crowded refugee camp and killing a family of four, including a father, mother, and two children who were sleeping inside their hut. A second round of shots killed another two civilians.

The Somali militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility of the attack, saying that the mortar shells were targeting African Union and government soldiers at the country's Presidential Palace. However, the shells missed its target by around 300 (984 feet) to 500 meters (1,640 feet).

Al-Shabaab is the militant wing of the Somali Council of Islamic Courts which took over most of southern Somalia in the second half of 2006. Despite efforts from the Somali and Ethiopian governments, the group has continued its violent insurgency in southern and central Somalia.

Somalia has been without an effective government since Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown two decades ago.

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