MOGADISHU, March 13: A mortar attack on Somalia's presidential residence in Mogadishu on Tuesday left a trail of fatalities nearby, just hours after President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed moved there from a provincial town.

Government officials confirmed two deaths around the presidency during the shelling, but residents put the figure as high as 13.

Yusuf was unhurt and there were no casualties in the residence, officials said.

“The mortars landed inside and outside Villa Somalia,” according to witness Jana Abdullahi, a taxi driver.

“Eight people from one family have been killed in one house near a mosque when a mortar shell hit their house,” resident Abdulkadir Ali Digi said.

Five other civilians, including two children, were reported killed in crossfire between Somali-Ethiopian troops and the attackers, but the figures given by witnesses could not be independently confirmed.

“I have seen two children who were killed by a mortar shell in their house that is near the presidential palace,” said resident Abdul-Hafib Ali. “It was terrible.” “Two people were killed outside where they were walking. It appears they were taken by stray bullets,” said Hassan Yusuf Mohamed, another resident.“My nephew was killed by stray bullets,” said Gutale Hussein.

Another resident said the attackers arrived near the residence in small vehicles and sealed off the neighbourhood.

“They did not cover their faces, but they told civilians not to approach before they started firing,” said resident Muhamoud Jeylani.

Witness Abdallaj Haji Hassan said Ethiopian and government troops responded to the attack with mortar fire which hit the ground and caused no casualties.

Residents said the fighting was brief before the attackers fled. Attackers last fired mortars on the presidential residence in January.

Yusuf moved to the volatile port city a day after parliament voted to relocate the whole government from provincial town of Baidoa, where it has set up base.—AFP