Mogadishu (WDN) — Several mortar shells were fired early Saturday morning toward Villa Somalia, the heavily guarded compound housing the Somali presidential palace, in what appears to be another brazen assault on the heart of the capital.

Witnesses and initial reports confirm that some of the projectiles landed in civilian-populated areas, including neighborhoods near the 15th May School and the National Theatre. Casualties have been reported, with multiple civilians sustaining injuries, though the full extent of the damage remains unclear.

No official statement has been released by Somali security agencies regarding the attack or the resulting casualties. However, emergency services were seen responding at the scene shortly after the explosions were heard.

This latest incident adds to a string of similar mortar attacks targeting the presidency in recent years. In many cases, these assaults have led to civilian deaths and injuries, raising ongoing concerns about the government’s ability to secure key areas of Mogadishu. Authorities have launched an investigation, but no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

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