Heavy fighting erupts in Mogadishu

By Mohamed Abdi Farah

(SomaliNet) Armed clashes between Somali’s interim government troops along with the Ethiopian forces and local insurgent groups have renewed in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia on Tuesday night, witnesses said.

The latest gun battle broke out around 7:00 pm local time in different locations in the capital where the fighters of the Young Islamic Movement known as ‘Al-Shabab’ launched attacks on the positions of the [Woyanne] allied forces.

The sound of the artillery weapons could be heard and rocked the battle zones and mounted concern on the civilians.

It is not yet clear the casualty on the rival sides as the fighting continues around Bakara market area and on Industrial road exchanging heavy weaponries.

In a statement posted on Islamic website, the Al-Shabab claimed the responsibility for tonight’s attacks on the bases of the allied troops.

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18 Ethiopian Woyanne soldiers among dead in fighting

Los Angeles Times

At least 22 people, including 18 Ethiopian Woyanne soldiers, died since Friday in clashes in Mogadishu, said Ahmed Mohamud Afrah, a spokesman for the military police. At least 20 civilians were wounded, he added. Hostilities between Somali troops and Islamic insurgents have forced almost 90,000 people to flee Mogadishu in the past four months, the United Nations said Thursday.

Fighting in the past week has been the worst in the capital in four months, said Abdullahi Omar Shah-Shah,
a deputy police spokesman.