3 killed in mortar attack near Somali presidential palace

MOGADISHU, Somalia

At least three people were killed and more than 11 wounded Thursday in the Somali capital in a mortar attack near the residence of the president, according to police.

Ibrahim Ahmed, a security official in Mogadishu, told Anadolu Agency that the early morning attack killed women and children after several explosions hit residential areas.

Police officer Abdi Hassan said that several shells landed in the Bond here and Abdiasis neighborhoods.

"We heard several explosions early morning on Thursday. When we investigated, we found out the explosions were mortar attacks," he said while confirming the casualties were civilians.

Rescue workers and police have reached the site and are transporting the injured to a hospital.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has not yet issued a statement but a police officer told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity that no shells landed at his residence.

He said he believes the target was Godka Jilacow, a prison near the presidential palace that is run by the country's intelligence agency.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack but the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab terror group has claimed responsibility for recent attacks in Somalia.