MOGADISHU, Somalia Aug 22 (Garowe Online) - An Ethiopian military convoy came under attack Wednesday morning as it drove through parts of the Somali capital Mogadishu, witnesses said.
Suspected insurgents used several hand grenades against the Ethiopian army convoy as it passed through the capital's major livestock market. Ethiopian soldiers opened fire in all directions following the impact of the grenade explosion, witnesses reported.
"Some of them [Ethiopians] were hurt," Mohamed Ali Abdi, a witness, told Garowe Online. He said the Ethiopian army convoy included tanks and were on their way to the old pasta factory, which has been transformed into a major Ethiopian base in recent months.
An unconfirmed number of people near the blast site were randomly apprehended by the Ethiopians. At least five civilians who suffered wounds from the blast and subsequent gunfire were admitted to hospitals, according to medical contacts.
In a separate attack, insurgents used pistols to shoot and kill a government soldier near Yaaqshiid's Fagah intersection early Wednesday. An independent journalist who lives in Fagah confirmed to Garowe Online that the soldier died from gunshot wounds to the head and heart moments before he was rushed to a hospital.
Meanwhile, delegates at Somalia's first-ever reconciliation conference to be held inside the country reopened debate on the hot-button issue of radicalism in religion.
Delegates listened to pro and con arguments, with some delegates arguing that the radicalism debate does not fit the conference agenda because there is "no religion war in Somalia."
Some delegates, expressing their revulsion to suicide bombings and the killing of innocents, suggested that the national reconciliation conference issue a statement condemning such practice as "un-Islamic" and used by terrorists taking advantage of the anarchic situation.
There are widespread concerns that some of the more than 1,000 delegates from across Somalia might leave Mogadishu due to financial constraints, problems with lodging and transportation, and growing security concerns, inside sources said.
Some of the delegates, who spoke with Garowe Online on the condition of anonymity, threatened to leave Mogadishu by next week and return to their home region if they do not receive the stipend promised by the UN and conference organizers.
The reconciliation conference, intended to reconcile warring Somali clans, has brought little change on the ground in Mogadishu, and in the countryside.
Insurgent violence has increased since the opening of the conference on July 15, with daily reports of bombings, shootings and an intense government crackdown.
In the countryside, clan militias have waged war virtually at will against each other over grazing land and revenge killings. There were bloody clan battles in Hiran, Galgadud and Middle Jubba regions this month alone, with no government intervention to speak of.
Supporters hope that the conference will yield positive results to end Somalia's 17-year civil war. But critics argue that the violence will not end until political actors, supported by armed groups and business interests, are included in negotiations with the government.
Source: Garowe Online
