Attack 'targets Somali airport'

Mortar shells were fired towards Mogadishu airport last night, witnesses have told news agency.

"There was a mortar attack against the airport last night, several rounds of mortar shells landed," said Bashir Hussein, who lives close to the airport, told News men.

Mohamed Abdalla, another witness, confirmed there were several loud explosions.  

Mogadishu airport is heavily fortified and adjoins the capital's main base of the African Union mission to Somalia, the 22,000-strong force backing the government in the battle against Islamist al-Shabab insurgents.

Mogadishu airport is heavily fortified and adjoins the African Union's main base in Somalia