Hiiraan Online
Monday, February 01, 2016
MOGADISHU (HOL) ---Somali security officials say one civilian has been killed after mortar shells exploded near Somalia’s presidential palace compound Monday..
The attack was the second mortar attack near the state house this year, a sign that despite their ouster from Mogadishu and nearby region the Al-Qaeda linked militant group which has claimed the responsibility for the attacks can still carry out mortar attacks in the city.
According to officials, the mortars hit inside a residential area few meters away from the presidential palace.
Medical sources confirmed they received five victims wounded in the mortar shelling which sent shock waves across the Somali capital which has rarely seen similar attacks last year.
It’s not the first time the Al-Qaeda linked group carried out mortar attacks in the city which has seen series of deadly attacks by the group.
The hilltop presidential palace serves as the residence of the president, prime minister and the speaker of the parliament.
Despite losing key strongholds, Al-Shabab remains a security threat to the horn of Africa nation struggling to recover from decades of war.
At least 28 people were killed and dozens of others were injured after Al Shabab fighters attacked a beachside restaurant last month.