MOGADISHU, Somalia Aug 15 (Garowe Online) - Somali rebels waging war on the internationally-recognized government and its Ethiopian military allies hurled hand grenades Wednesday evening at police guarding the venue for a reconciliation conference.

At least one police officer was wounded in the explosion, witnesses said. Police were able to outgun the attackers and force them to flee.

Five soldiers were killed midday today after their vehicle drove over a land mine in Mogadishu's dangerous Yaaqshiid area.

Outside the capital, insurgent fighters targeted police collecting taxes in Afgoye market. [ Full story]

Such attacks have become a daily feat in Mogadishu, Somalia's war-scarred traditional capital. Thousands of civilians have fled the increasing violence between insurgents and the government.

The government is hosting the national reconciliation conference where more than 1,000 delegates are discussing the future of the country. But the conference, being held at a renovated former police warehouse, has had no impact on the daily barrage of bombings and shootings that have characterized the Mogadishu insurgency.

Source: Garowe Online