One Killed in Somali Shebab Mogadishu Mortar Attack

One civilian was killed and another seriously wounded Thursday when mortars fired by Islamist Shebab insurgents exploded close to the presidential palace in Mogadishu, police said.

Explosions were heard in the heavily guarded government district around Villa Somalia, the presidential palace, around noon on Thursday.

"Several rounds of mortar shells landed in the neighborhood where the palace is located," police officer Jama Mohamed said, adding one person was killed and another wounded.

A government worker, Ibrahim Hussein, said he heard three explosions.

The Al-Qaida-linked Shebab claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on a pro-Shebab website.

"The attack is part of operations carried out inside Mogadishu by the mujahedeen fighters," the statement read.

The Shebab, who are fighting to overthrow the internationally backed government in Mogadishu, carry out regular attacks in the capital.

The Islamists are on a mission to disprove claims they are close to defeat since being routed from Mogadishu in mid-2011 and losing several alleged commanders in U.S. drone strikes.