MOGADISHU, Somalia Oct 26 (Garowe Online) - At least 5 people were killed in shelling in the Somali capital Mogadishu, as a new military court was opened to address military cases, Radio Garowe reports.

According to witnesses, the shelling started Sunday afternoon following insurgent mortars launched at the bases of Somali government forces and African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM), who responded by shelling the launching areas.

"The shells hit residential homes and I saw five dead bodies," said witness Ali Ahmed, who lives in Mogadishu's Yaaqshiid district.

Mogadishu ambulance workers said 20 wounded civilians were rushed to medical centers for treatment. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but insurgent groups Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam have waged a relentless insurgency since early 2007.

Last week, AMISOM commanders rejected accusations that the peacekeepers shelled residential areas and a market place in violence that killed at least 25 people in a single day.

Military court

Somalia's UN-endorsed Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has opened a military court for the first time since its establishment in 2004.

TFG officials present at the opening ceremony of the military court in Mogadishu included Parliament Speaker Sheikh Aden "Madobe" Mohamed and Fisheries Minister Abdirahman Ibbi, who is the acting Prime Minister.

"After witnessing some of the crimes soldiers have committed, the Government has decided to establish this court to address soldiers' crimes," Speaker Madobe told reporters.

Fisheries Minister Ibbi said the opening of this military court is a "warning" to soldiers who commit crimes while on duty.

Sheikh Awil Hussein, the new military court's chief judge, told reporters that the Somali government will begin by issuing new military uniforms, warning: "Any person in military uniform who is caught committing a crime will face severe punishment."

A Somali military spokesman said 8 soldiers recently caught while committing crimes that included illegal checkpoints where they extorted money from civilians will be the first case brought in front of the court.

Mogadishu's civilians have complained since 2007 about the behavior of Somali government forces, some of whom have been accused of illegal killings and robberies.

Source: Garowe Online