Civilians view damage at mortar-hit marketplace

MOGADISHU, Somalia Mar 18 (Garowe Online) - Unidentified gunmen launched 11 mortars into Mogadishu’s main seaport on Sunday, hitting parts of the port as well as nearby neighborhoods, officials and residents said.

Two of the mortars hit a crowded marketplace in the Hamar-Jajab area, wounding at least 7 people, according to witness accounts.

Two nearby homes were also struck by mortars, killing 2 people including a child. One homeowner confirmed to Garowe Online that his young son was killed when a part of their house collapsed.

Neighbors said 3 people inside died when another house near the port was hit with a mortar.

Four mortars hit parts of the port but the extent of the damage could not be verified as government forces immediately secured the area.

Speedboat attack

Abdi Ali, a port employee, told Garowe Online that a speedboat with 5 men on board was used to launch rocket-propelled grenades that hit and damaged a ship docked at the port moments before mortar attack.

Confidential sources said an unconfirmed number of Ethiopian soldiers at the port, also targeted with RPGs from the speedboat, were wounded in the attack.

Hundreds of Somali and Ethiopian troops closed off roads leading to the international sea port following the attack.

The Ethiopia-backed Somali transitional government blames Islamist rebels for the near daily attacks on its troops and installations.

The government has pledged to secure Mogadishu before hosting the National Reconciliation Congress, which is scheduled to open on April 16.

Source: Garowe Online