MOGADISHU, Somalia Sep 7 (Garowe Online) - Somali insurgents attacked local police, Ethiopian troops and African Union peacekeepers Saturday night in the capital Mogadishu, and the south-western town of Baidoa, where the country's federal parliament is based.

At least seven people were wounded when al Shabaab insurgents targeted AU peacekeepers with mortars, witnesses told Radio Garowe.

Major Bridgye Bahuko, the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) spokesman, told reporters that the peacekeepers "defended themselves" against an insurgent attack.

He remarked that it is "unfortunate" for insurgents to continue violent attacks during the Holy Month of Ramadan, when Somali Muslims are fasting.

Sources at Mogadishu's Medina Hospital said "nearly 20" wounded people were admitted over the past 24 hours.

Somali police and AMISOM peacekeepers expanded into Hodan district neighborhoods Sunday morning, with locals saying "several" suspects were detained for questioning.

In a separate incident, Ethiopian forces based at the ex-pasta factory in northern Mogadishu were targeted with mortars. Witnesses in surrounding neighborhoods said the Ethiopian army responded to the mortar attack with artillery shells, some of which reportedly hit residential areas.

In Baidoa, 250km northwest of Mogadishu, suspected insurgents attacked a local police station but station commander Col. Adan Ali Amin said "no one was wounded."

Al Shabaab fighters, who are spearheading a bloody anti-Ethiopia insurgency across south-central Somalia, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Somalia has lacked an effective national government since 1991. A UN-endorsed, Ethiopian-backed transitional federal government is attempting to restore central rule but faces violent resistance from Islamist-led rebels.

Source: Garowe Online