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| Last Updated: Apr 3, 2012 - 2:47:55 AM |
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Somalia: Dozens killed in Mogadishu clashes
3 Jul 3, 2010 - 1:43:09 AM
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At least 24 people civilians have been killed and 80 others injured in heavy
shelling and gun fire exchanged between Somali government troops and rebel
fighters in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, Radio Garowe reports.
Somali government troops backed by African Union peacekeepers launched
coordinated attacks on rebels’ bases in northern districts Karan and Shibis,
while other parts of the restive capital received share of the indiscriminate
shelling.
“At least 17 women and children were killed when two mortar shells smashed
parts of Suq Ba’ad in Yaqshid. They were all hiding from the bitter shelling
that rocked the city,” said Ali Muse, the head of Mogadishu Ambulance Services.
He added that more than 80 civilians were wounded in the Thursday’s clashes.
Reports suggested that two Armored Personal Carriers belonging to African Union
troops were burnt after hit by mortars fired from insurgent positions.
However, AMISOM spokesman Maj. Barigye Bahuko refuted claims that the APCs were hit by mortars, adding a technical problem caused the fire that burnt the two
vehicles.
Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was also seen dressed in military
camouflage on the frontlines with the government who were fighting to push back
the rebel fighters in northern areas.
The latest clashes led to massive exodus in northern districts wkth most of the
people on the move being women and children.
“I fled with my children from Arjantin neighbourhood in Karan district. My
elderly father refused to flee, he remained behind,” said Asho Nur, a mother of
six children.
Both the government and the insurgents have vowed to continue with the battle as
civilians bear the brunt of suffering.
©2010 All rights reserved. Users may download and print extracts of content from this article for their own personal and non-commercial use only. Rebublication or redistribution of this report, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Garowe Online
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