MOGADISHU - Seven civilians were killed and nine wounded after a mortar shell was fired into a crowded neighbourhood of the Somali capital Mogadishu, official and witnesses said on Tuesday.
It was not immediately clear who was behind the shelling late Monday, the latest in a string of attacks in the anarchic capital, where diehard Al-Qaeda allied Shebab insurgents have launched guerrilla assaults on the government.
"Seven people were killed and nine others injured, it was a disaster that shocked everyone," said Dahir Adan, a witness.
Somali security officials confirmed the attack and said they were investigating.
The Islamist Shebab abandoned most of their fixed positions in Mogadishu in August, but have vowed to continue to battle the Western-backed government, who are protected by an 11,000 strong African Union force.
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