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| Last Updated: Apr 3, 2012 - 2:47:55 AM |
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Somalia: 21 killed in Mogadishu violence
5 Mar 5, 2011 - 3:06:47 PM
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Fighting between African Union troops, Somali government forces, pro-government militiamen on one side and Al-Shabaab and its allies on the other end killed at least 21 people and injured over 40 others in the Somali capital, Radio Garowe Reports.
The fighting erupted former Ministry of Defence building (Gashandiga) along Industrial Road in the northwest of the city, which was recently taken by AU forces.
“A suicide car bomb exploded near an African Union base in Mogadishu. I have seen ten dead bodies mostly TFG and Al-shabaab soldiers and injured ones,” eyewitness told Garowe Online.
However, AMISOM spokesman Major Barigye Ba-Hoku said the suicide attack was blocked by AMISOM Burundi Contingent manning the entrance of the base.
Mogadishu ambulance service officials said they have saw 11 dead bodies of civilians and assisted more than 10 wounded people who are currently admitted in various hospitals across the restive capital.
Meanwhile, At least 53 African Union (AU) peacekeepers have died in fighting in Somalia in a major offensive against al-Shabab fighters.
“In reality, 43 soldiers of the Burundi contingent have been killed, another four are missing and 110 were wounded during the last joint offensive in Mogadishu." a senior military officer told the Associated Press news agency.
Currently, the AU peacekeeping contingent, whose main contributors are Uganda and Burundi, has about 4,500 troops on the ground --- and are struggling to overcome Al Shabaab, a self-declared Al Qaeda affiliate.
Somalia has had no effective central government for 19 years and although the administration of President Ahmed has the backing of the United Nations and AU, he faces a stubborn insurgency from the insurgent groups.
GAROWEONLINE
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