Al-Shabab mortar strike on Somalia parliament

Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for Monday’s mortar attack on parliament of Somalia, injuring at least six persons during a joint session.

In the midst of a legislative session, explosions were heard. According to officials and eyewitnesses, many persons were hurt, but no elected officials were struck by shrapnel that fell in the guarded airport area near the capital Mogadishu’s parliament.

“We do not have specifics at this time, but these explosions were caused by mortar fire; the parliamentarians were inside the building at the time of the event and are safe,” a security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

“I was in the vicinity when mortar bombs hit outside the building where legislators were assembled; some individuals were mildly hurt in one of the blasts,” said Abdukadir Ali, a witness.

Parliamentarians were scheduled to determine dates for voting to elect the presidents of the two parliamentary houses, the next stage in a long-delayed process to install a new president.

Officials announced that the upper house will vote on 26 April and the lower house the next day to elect their respective leaders.