Mortar Kills Somalian Children

A mortar shell hit a school in southern Mogadishu on Saturday, killing nine students and injuring 18.

A teacher lost both legs, said a doctor at the Benadir hospital, where the injured children were treated.

The victims ranged in age from 3 to 9.

It was not immediately possible to determine who fired the lone shell in the Bermuda neighborhood.

There has been no fighting in the neighborhood since the Abgal and Murosade subclans fought a week ago in the heaviest fighting since the United Nations withdrew last March.

More than 20 people were killed and 48 wounded on May 5 before elders from both subclans arranged a cease-fire.

The Abgals are loyal to Ali Mahdi Mohamed and the Murosade have ties to Gen. Mohamed Farrah Aidid, the Somali warlords vying for control of Mogadishu.