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2 killed, 18 injured in mortar shell attack in Somalia

Xinhua, July 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

At least two civilians were killed and 18 others seriously injured in a mortar shell attack by Al-Shabaab in Baidoa town in southwest Somalia, officials said on Saturday.

Baidoa District Commissioner Abdullahi Ali Watin told Xinhua that the incident happened early Saturday when the militants fired rounds of mortar shells targeting civilians who were asleep.

"Al-Shabaab militants killed at least 2 people including a young baby girl and injured 18 others in Baidoa town at around 4 am on Saturday. Five of the injured had light injuries and were later discharged from hospital but the rest are hospitalized," Watin said.

The commissioner added that the security forces conducted an operation after the incident, but added that no one has been arrested.

Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility of the latest attack in Baidoa town which is about 250 kilometers southwest of capital Mogadishu.

Residents expressed fears the death toll could be more. The military group has increased deadly attacks in the south and central Somalia during the holy month of Ramadan. Enditem