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Somalia: State house under mortar attack, civilians killed
(SomaliNet) Local militants linked with the defeated Islamic Courts Union have raided the government positions in the Somalia capital Mogadishu late today with mortars and rockets as the city entered its seventh day of massive security operations aimed to restore peace and stability before 15 July meeting. Five mortar rounds landed tonight at the presidential palace in Mogadishu which houses many government officials including president Abdulahi Yusuf. There is no immediate casualty reported from the palace.

According to the residents, two mortars missed the target and hit ex-fiyore compound near the state house killing two civilians and wounding three others. Also mortars hit near the venue where the coming national reconciliation conference is due to be held on July 15. Other explosions and gunfire could be heard around Mogadishu soccer stadium where stationed by the Ethiopian forces.

A local resident told Somalinet that militants attacked the Ethiopian base with mortars while the Ethiopian troops responded with heavy weaponry. The latest mortar and rocket attacks are happening as Mogadishu is under curfew for the third week.
Posted by: Fred 2007-07-12
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=193230