MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – A barrage of mortar bombs struck a compound where elections for a number of parliamentary seats were underway in the coastal town of Barawe in southern Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, Dalsan Radio reported on Wednesday.
At least one person was killed and several others wounded after some of the mortar bombs missed targets and struck residential areas in the coastal town, residents told media.
Helicopters were seen hovering over the town, shortly after the assault claimed by the militant group Al-Shabaab, which said it had targeted the city’s presidential palace, where elections for seven parliamentary seats were underway.
Several regional officials, including Southwest parliament speaker are visiting the town, who said on Tuesday that he had arrived to help beef up security and prevent possible Islamist attacks to disrupt the polls.
Elections were briefly halted after the mortar attack, according to local media, and authorities denied journalists access to the venue to broadcast the events.
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