Somalia
Somalia: Clashes in Mogadishu kill 27
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Mar 11, 2010 - 2:43:54 AM

Heavy fighting between Somali government forces backed by African Union troops on one side and rebel fighters from Al-Shabaab on the other hand have killed at least 27 people and injured more than 70 others in the capital Mogadishu, medics and witnesses said.
 
The clashes erupted in  the rebel-held northern districts of Karan, Yaqshid, Shibbis and Abdiasis on Wednesday, pitting government forces against Al-Shabaab fighters.
 
“The fighting started with shelling and most of the dead are civilians. I have personally seen several wounded in our neighborhood,” said a youngester in Shibbis.
 
Most of the people we evacuated from the battle zone are civilians. We have seen the dead bodies of several of them,” said Ali Muse who heads Mogadishu’s Ambulance Services.
 
Both sides have so far claimed victory over the other and claimed to have made substantial advances in the positions but rejected civilians death.
 
Meanwhile, briefly gunfire between two groups of soldier serving in the government forces killed at least four civilians and injured five others, mostly the soldiers.
 
The confrontation, which was reportedly caused by disagreement between the soldiers, happened on Tuesday at government-controlled Maka Al Mukarama road.

GAROWE ONLINE


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