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| Last Updated: Jun 14, 2010 - 8:03:37 PM |
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Somalia: 10 killed in Mogadishu as govt commander ditches to Al-Shabaab
9 Feb 9, 2010 - 5:24:07 AM
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At least 10 people have been killed and 20 others wounded in heavy shelling and gunfire exchanged in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu,
The clashes erupted in Mogadishu’s Bondhere, Karan, Abdiasis, Yaqshid and Shibbis late Sunday and continued into Monday morning,
"The clashes erupted in the middle of the night and continued until morning. It was fierce and deadliest that rocked the neighborhood in recent past,” said a mother who lives in Shibbis.
Mogadishu-based Elman Peace and Human Rights Organization confirmed the shelling which it said caused fatalities on civilians.
Al-Shabaab insurgent group has claimed responsibility of the attacks.
“We carried out attacks in response to government-planned offensives on our positions,” said Al-Shabaab’s Spokesman Sheikh Ali Dhere.
However, Somali military spokesman Col. Adan Kalmyo said foreign fighters were involved in the clashes.
"Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam received foreign fighters from Ethiopia and Eritrea. They entered the city through Elman mini-port which they control,” he told reporters.
The clashes come as Al-Shabaab claims to receive a government commander called Bashe Ahmed Nur who deserted the forces with his weapons.
“Our brother Bashe was among the government troops based in Jizira area, and he has decided to join us in the jihad with his weapons,” Al-Shabaab spokesman said.
The government side however refuted on Tuesday that one of its commanders had joined the opposition group.
It is not the first time Al-Shabaab ahs displayed or claimed to have received deserters from the fragile government side, which is currently vowing to launch full scale offensives against the rebels.
GAROWE ONLINE
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