Somalia
Somalia: Yet another bloodshed day in Mogadishu
By
Dec 22, 2009 - 9:51:32 AM

At least four people are killed and over a dozen others injured in heavy clashes between pro-government forces and rebel fighters in Somalia’s restive capital of Mogadishu.
 
The fierce clashes erupted in the capital’s southern district of Medina where the warring sides exchanged heavy gunfire from assault rifles, artillery and mortar shells, claiming the lives of at least four civilians.
 
According to eyewitnesses, several mortar shells reportedly fired from African Union troops’ base in Halane in response to a barrage of artillery shells they received from anti-government side.
 
"I saw the dead bodies of 3 people after a mortar landed on a house. Gunfire also wounded several people," said Ali Ahmed, a resident of Kah-Shekhal area.
 
Several mortar shells were fired towards Hodan and Hawlwadag districts but could not immediately be confirmed the casualties that it caused.
 
The shelling are part of latest heavy bombardment that rocked the bullet-riddled capital, which claimed the lives of innocent civilians.
 
Meanwhile, gunmen in central Somali town of Beleweyne have reportedly killed a security officer working for United Nations Food programmed WFP.
 
According to eyewitnesses, Ali Farah Amey (Ali Afweyne), who is also a former official of Somalia’s Islamic Courts, was shot dead by three assailants armed with pistols near WFP centre in the town.
 
Armed militia from the town’s Hizbul Islam administration conducted search operations to look for the assassins who fled the crime scene.
 
The strategic town is now under a night curfew.

GAROWE ONLINE


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