This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6323463.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Mortar attacks in Somali capital Mortar attacks in Somali capital
(about 4 hours later)
Seven people have been killed and several others seriously injured in overnight attacks in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, residents say. Eight people have been killed and several others seriously injured in attacks in Somalia's capital.
Unknown gunmen fired mortars at camps housing Ethiopian soldiers on the outskirts of the volatile city. A mortar has landed on a Koranic school, killing a female student, following a series of overnight attacks on camps housing Ethiopian soldiers.
A BBC correspondent in Mogadishu says the attacks have stopped but residents are still worried. A BBC correspondent in Mogadishu says the violence seems to be worsening. It is not clear who is responsible.
Islamist fighters said they would start an insurgency after they were defeated by Ethiopia-backed government troops.Islamist fighters said they would start an insurgency after they were defeated by Ethiopia-backed government troops.
The BBC's Mohammed Olad in Mogadishu says explosions were heard in several parts of the city and government troops have sealed off the entire area close to the main port and the Mogadishu airport. The BBC's Mohammed Olad in Mogadishu says dozens of female students began shouting and crying after the shell landed on the roof of their school, killing a student and wounding seven others.
Sheikh Soon Salad Ilmi, director of Mogadishu's Madina hospital, where the wounded were taken, said some had life-threatening injuries.
Deputy Defence Minister Salad Ali Jelle blamed "the hardline remnants" of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) for the escalating violence but insisted that his interim government was in control.
"We have suspects and we know the areas where they plan their attacks," he said. "We will punish them."
'Stray mortar''Stray mortar'
Government troops had sealed off the entire area close to the main port and the Mogadishu airport after the overnight attacks.
Four people including a woman and two children were killed in Mogadishu's southern Barakat district, reports the AFP news agency.Four people including a woman and two children were killed in Mogadishu's southern Barakat district, reports the AFP news agency.
"The woman and children were killed by a stray mortar which destroyed their house," relative Amina Asheyr told AFP."The woman and children were killed by a stray mortar which destroyed their house," relative Amina Asheyr told AFP.
Mogadishu has seen a rise of violence this year since the transitional government forces and their Ethiopian backers defeated the Union of Islamic Courts who had controlled the city and large parts of southern Somalia. Mogadishu has seen a rise of violence this year since the transitional government forces and their Ethiopian backers defeated the UIC who had controlled the city and large parts of southern Somalia.
Government officials say there are more than 3,000 Islamic fighters in Mogadishu.Government officials say there are more than 3,000 Islamic fighters in Mogadishu.
Ethiopia is seeking an early withdrawal from the country despite slow progress in drumming up an African peace keeping force.Ethiopia is seeking an early withdrawal from the country despite slow progress in drumming up an African peace keeping force.
Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and Burundi are the only countries to have publicly offered to contribute to the proposed 8,000-strong force.Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and Burundi are the only countries to have publicly offered to contribute to the proposed 8,000-strong force.