by Hashi
MOGADISHU, July 4 (Xinhua) -- At least two soldiers were killed on Tuesday in a mortar round attack by suspected Al-Shabaab members near the presidential palace in Mogadishu, officials said.
Officials who refused to be identified told Xinhua by phone that the one of the mortar shells landed near Villa Somalia, killing the two soldiers.
Eyewitness said that several mortar shells fell in an area near the presidential palace, and one of them exploded, causing the casualties.
Al-Shabaab militants are suspected to be behind the mortar attacks as the group carry out frequent attacks targeting the Somali government, African Union bases and public sites including hotels and restaurants in Mogadishu.
The attack came a day before the Somali government officials and regional leaders will have a meeting on national security, according to the officials.
