Mortar blasts kill at least 14 in Mogadishu

Mogadishu: Mortar attacks in the Somali capital of Mogadishu killed at least 14 people on Friday.

Dozens of others were also wounded in the attacks that started at a Ugandan military base in the city's K4 area.

Witnesses said that insurgents fired artillery rounds at the base, prompting an exchange of mortar and machinegun fire that last for hours.

Witness Hussain Aden said he saw eight bodies after three mortars detonated in the Bakara market.

"The first one landed in front of a shop, killing four people and wounding four others who were busy buying vegetables," he said.

He said the second mortar killed four children when it dropped in front of their house.

Hospital sources said six civilians who were injured in the attacks died later.