African Union peacekeeping troops in Somalia, AMISOM have reportedly shelled several parts of the restive capital Mogadishu, causing the deaths of civilians, eyewitnesses said.

The shelling and heavy bombardment, which happened on Monday night and
concentrated in Mogadishu’s northern districts of Daynile and Hodan, erupted after rebel fighters carried out attacks on the troops’ base in Mogadishu’s Warshadaha road.

According to eyewitnesses, the bodies of four civilians including an old man were seen on Tuesday in the neighbourhoods while at least five others injured.

Although Somali and AU officials have not commented about the midnight shelling, the act becomes one of its kinds with the peacekeepers using heavy machines to target the civilian areas.

AU officials usually claim that their forces respond fire only targeting the rebel strongholds in the restive capital.

The shellings are inline with the on-going clashes between rebel forces and pro-government troops, which claimed the lives of mostly
innocent civilians.

GAROWE ONLINE