tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16711557.post3108021574800215193..comments2024-03-24T20:40:46.666-04:00Comments on Pan-African News Wire: Al-Shabab Fighters Seize Somali Town of HudurPan-African News Wirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958190577776906688noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16711557.post-76182327879814523952009-02-25T10:51:00.000-05:002009-02-25T10:51:00.000-05:00Wednesday, February 25, 2009 17:23 Mecca time, 14:...Wednesday, February 25, 2009 <BR/>17:23 Mecca time, 14:23 GMT <BR/><BR/>Civilians dead in Somalia clashes <BR/> <BR/>Renewed fighting has targeted AU peacekepeers from Uganda and Burundi<BR/> <BR/>At least 48 civilians have been killed in two-days of fighting between Somali rebel fighters and African Union (AU) peacekeepers in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, a rights group said.<BR/><BR/>More than 90 people were injured in the clashes, Ali Yasin Gedi, the vice-chairman of the local Elman Peace and Human Rights group, said on Wednesday.<BR/><BR/>Witnesses said at least 15 rebel al-Shabab fighters and six policemen were killed in exchanges of gunfire and mortar bombs, which have rocked the coastal capital since Tuesday.<BR/><BR/>The latest violence has flared up just days after Sharif Ahmed, the new Somali president, returned to the coastal city to form an inclusive unity government - the 15th attempt in 18 years - to bring peace to the failed Horn of Africa state.<BR/><BR/>Territorial gain<BR/><BR/>On Wednesday, al-Shabab seized control of the town of Hodur, near the Ethiopian border, from government-backed forces, residents and al-Shabab members told the AFP news agency.<BR/><BR/>Al-Shabab and allied groups control much of southern and central Somalia and want to impose their version of sharia (Islamic) law in the country.<BR/><BR/>The AU currently has about 3,200 soldiers from Uganda and Burundi in Somalia, where two years of fighting have killed more than 16,000 civilians and displaced millions from their homes.<BR/><BR/>More than a third of the population depend on aid, and large parts of Mogadishu lie empty and destroyed.<BR/><BR/>Al-Shabab and other anti-government groups regularly attack government troops and AU peacekeepers, in efforts to force them out of the country.<BR/><BR/>The rebel group gained support as one of the key factions waging war against Ethiopian troops who they said were propping up the country's previous government.<BR/><BR/>An Ethiopian withdrawal in January eased the fighting, but al-Shabab has since turned its fire on the AU force, Amisom, and the new government.<BR/><BR/>Regional diplomats hope the inclusion of Islamist groups in the new administration may marginalise groups like al-Shabab, which is on Washington's list of terrorist organisations and is known to have foreign fighters in its ranks.<BR/> <BR/>Source: AgenciesPan-African News Wirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10958190577776906688noreply@blogger.com