Sunday, October 09, 2011
At least 20 people have been killed in clashes between African Union forces and al-Shabab fighters in the Somali capital Mogadishu, Press TVreports.
A battle between al-Shabab fighters and African Union (AU) soldiers broke out in northeast Mogadishu on Saturday after AU troops launched attacks on al-Shabab bases in the area, the Press TV correspondent in Mogadishu reported.
Seven al-Shabab fighters and 13 AU soldiers were killed as the two sides engaged in firefights and exchanged barrages of mortar shells.
African Union soldiers have reportedly seized al-Shabab bases in the northeastern sector of Mogadishu, and al-Shabab members are fleeing the area.
Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991 when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.