Mortar and rocket attack kills three in Mogadishu

Mortar bombs and rockets struck parts of Somalia's capital Mogadishu yesterday, killing at least three people, witnesses said.

"The (mortar bombs and rockets) are being fired towards the sea port," said one witness, who identified himself as Mohamed Deq.

"One mortar hit a house nearby, injuring a young boy. Another mortar has hit another house, killing a man and a girl. So many mortars have been fired.

"It is really terrifying. People are coming out of their houses, people are standing in the streets confused."

It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack. In a two-week war over the New Year period the government, backed by troops and weapons from Ethiopia, drove out Islamists who had controlled Mogadishu and much of the south for six months.

But there have been a number of attacks in the capital since then.

On Tuesday, a series of blasts rocked northern Mogadishu in an area of the capital where Ethiopian troops were based, security sources and residents said.