At least two killed, five injured in mortar attack on Mogadishu residential areas

At least two civilians were killed and five others wounded on Saturday after mortar shells struck residential neighbourhoods in Mogadishu, local media reported.

The attack targeted Waaberi and Hamar-Jajab districts, with initial reports indicating that a child on the way to a Qur’an school was among the victims. Another adult civilian was also confirmed dead. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The mortar rounds landed in areas near key installations, including the Mogadishu seaport and Aden Adde International Airport. These areas have been frequently targeted in the past by Al-Shabaab, who seek to disrupt government operations and intimidate international organisations based in the capital.

Saturday’s attack came as Somalia’s disputed electoral commission carried on with voter registration for local elections in Mogadishu.

The Somali government has not yet issued a statement on the incident or identified those responsible.