2 dead as al-Shabab claims mortar attack near Somalia palace
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Two civilians were killed in an al-Shabab mortar attack outside Somalia's presidential palace during a handover ceremony for the country's new leader, police said Thursday, a sign of the enormous security challenges in trying to develop this long-chaotic country.
At least three mortars slammed into a residential area near the palace, killing two civilians, during the ceremony for President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, Capt. Mohamed Hussein said.
The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi websites, cited al-Shabab posts on Twitter that claimed responsibility for the attack.
Farmajo, who also holds US citizenship, was elected Feb. 8. Securing a country that remains under threat of deadly attacks by al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaida, is a top challenge.
While the extremist group has been pushed out of most of its key strongholds, it continues to carry out deadly attacks in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.
