Seven Killed in Mogadishu Mortar Attack

A mortar shell fired into a crowded Mogadishu neighborhood has killed seven civilians, including two children, witnesses said Tuesday, as continued violence threatens Somalia's fragile peace process.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the shelling late Monday, the latest in a string of attacks in the anarchic capital, where diehard al-Qaida allied Shebab insurgents have launched guerrilla assaults on the government.

"Seven people were killed and nine others injured, it was a disaster that shocked everyone," said Dahir Adan, a witness.

"Four of the victims were my close relatives. A mother, father and their two sons have all died, and two others were injured. We don't know where the mortar round came from," said Abdikarin Gaas, who lives near the scene of the attack.

Somali security officials confirmed the attack and said they were investigating.

The Islamist Shebab abandoned most of their fixed positions in Mogadishu in August, but have vowed to continue to battle the Western-backed government, who are protected by an 11,000 strong African Union force.

Despite the series of attacks, much of Mogadishu has been relatively peaceful since the Shebab pull out, with businesses resuming, buildings being renovated and people able to move about more freely.

However, the latest violence shows the danger remaining in the war-shattered capital where efforts are ongoing to select an constituent assembly, part of a fragile process to select a new government ahead of an August 20 deadline.

Last week the United Nations, African Union and East Africa's main diplomatic body IGAD warned in a rare joint statement that efforts at establishing peace in Somalia were at risk.

The three organizations said they were "greatly concerned" at efforts to undermine a "roadmap" signed by Somalia's disparate leaders, the latest effort to bring peace after more than two decades of war.

Somali leaders signed an agreement in September for the formation of a government to replace the weak transitional body that has failed to bring peace, and is accused of rampant corruption.

Under the agreement, the latest among more than a dozen attempts to resolve the bloody civil war, lawmakers must agree on a system of government for Somalia's fragmented regional -- and often rival -- administrations.

Somalia must also adopt a new constitution, select a new parliament and convene the national assembly.

The seaside capital has suffered the worst of Somalia's 21 years of chaos that erupted with the ouster of President Mohamed Siad Barre. Two people died on May 1 when their explosive-laden car blew up in the city center.

In recent months, the international community has revamped efforts to resolve the protracted unrest that has resulted in the country being carved up by warlords, extremist militia and pirates ruling vast regions.