[dehai-news] (France24) Deadly clashes rock capital Mogadishu

From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Fri May 22 2009 - 07:39:20 EDT

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* Deadly clashes rock capital Mogadishu Fresh clashes between Somali
government troops and Islamist rebels have led to several deaths, including
that of a local journalist. The military has vowed to chase the rebels from
the capital, but witnesses say the army has beaten a retreat. *

Friday 22 May 2009
By Catherine VIETTE (video)
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htthttp://www.france24.com/en/20090522-deadly-clashes-rock-somali-capital-mogadishu-islamist-rebels>
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*AFP *- Fierce clashes Friday left at least six people dead as Somali
government forces attempted to drive Islamist rebels out of the capital
Mogadishu, officials and witnesses said.

Troops attacked the rebels in three positions in southern Mogadishu which
they wrested from the government in recent heavy clashes that have killed
more than 100 people.

Military spokesman Farhan Mahdi Mohamed vowed they would fight until the
insurgents are dislodged from the capital, but witnesses said they saw the
troops beating a retreat as their rivals advanced.

The renewed clashes claimed the lives of a local journalist, three soldiers
and two civilians, according to residents.

The National Union of Somali Journalists condemned the death of the Radio
Shabelle journalist who was killed in the crossfire.

He "was on his way (to the station) when bullets hit him on the chest. His
body was lying on the road for about 45 minutes as the militias were
shooting at anyone who wanted to take his body," the union said in a
statement.

Other witnesses said they saw the bodies of three government soldiers on the
streets.

"The government forces have retreated from the area and I can see the bodies
of the soldiers lying in the streets," Faisal Hashi, who said he saw two
bodies in Bakara area, told AFP.

Another witness said he saw a third soldier's body at a different location
while an AFP reporter saw the bodies of two civilians. At least eight
civlians were also wounded in the clashes.

Earlier, the army spokesman said one soldier was wounded and claimed they
had regained control of the three areas of the capital -- Tarbunka, Bakara
and Howlwadag -- held by the insurgents.

"This is a large military offensive against violent people," he said. "The
government will sweep them out of the capital and the fighting will continue
until that happens."

But a spokesman for the rebels, who call themselves the Shebab or Party of
Youth, denied the claim.

"The enemies of Allah attacked our positions this morning and our fighters
are defending themselves. They have not not taken any positions from us,"
said Sheikh Ali Mohamoud Rage.

Ten days of fierce clashes between the two sides have killed more than 100
people and displaced 46,000 others.

The Shebab and Hezb al-Islamiya fighters are the main insurgents trying to
topple the transitional government of President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed elected
in January under UN-sponsored reconciliation talks.

The rebels launched attacks against the government on May 7 and said they
had received the support of foreign fighters to wage some of the fiercest
clashes Mogadishu has suffered in months.

An East African regional bloc this week called on the United Nations to
impose an aerial and maritime blockade to starve the rebels of weapons
supplies.

It also urged for sanctions on Eritrea blaming it for supporting the
insurgents in their bid to topple the government.

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