Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Somalia Fighting Leaves 7 Dead in Mogadishu Clashes

From Garoweonline.com

Somalia: 7 killed in Mogadishu clashes

Nov 16, 2010 - 5:04:41 AM

At least 7 people have been reportedly killed and more than 12 others injured in heavy clashes between al-Shabaab fighters and Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops backed by African Union peacekeepers Mogadishu, Radio Garowe reports.

The clashes broke on Monday when al-Shabaab attacked positions of Somali government forces in the Mogadishu's northern districts, including Bondhere.

"Four civilians were killed and nine others were seriously injured after heavy mortars landed resident houses," said a witness

Local residents say that the lifeless were mostly men, 3 siblings were also injured in the fighting.

The people of southern Somalia who are caught in a war between the government and insurgents are facing an increasing lack of security and a humanitarian situation that is worsening daily, according to analysts.

Somalia has not had a functioning national government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and civil war ensued.

The TFG is the country's 15th attempt to restore national with international assistance order since 1991.

GAROWE ONLINE
http://www.garoweonline.com

Last Updated: Nov 16, 2010 - 5:11:41 AM


Somalia: Al Shabaab threaten to target new Cabinet officials

15 Nov 15, 2010 - 6:36:23 AM

Somalia's most powerful militant group, al-Shabaab has vowed more war against the country's new government which they called "weak government", Radio Garowe reports.

"The new government have no ability to defeat us compare to the previous once led by Sharma’arke, all are from the Diaspora who don't know more about Somali politics and they joined our enemies," said top Al-shabaab official Sheikh Hussein Ali Fidow.

Sheikh Hussein urged to attack Somali pro-government bases and many other places within days to come until Somali recognized Islamic country.

"Our mission is to make Somalia an Islam country—to apply Shari'a Law—so that we connect with other Islamic world," said Hussein adding al-Shabaab was the one who carried out the twin suicide bombing in the Ugandan capital of Kampala on Sunday night — killing 74, many as they watched the World Cup final, that was first suicide outside the country.

AMISOM troops, comprised of Ugandan and Burundian soldiers, are deployed in the war-torn country as part of the internationally backed efforts to stabilize the Horn of African country which has been in turmoil for an entire generation.

Currently, the AU peacekeeping contingent, whose main contributors are Uganda and Burundi, has about 7,200 troops on the ground --- and are struggling to overcome Al Shabaab, a self-declared Al Qaeda affiliate.

The Horn of Africa country has had no effective central government for 19 years and the UN-endorsed TFG administration in Mogadishu under President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is facing a relentless insurgency.

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