May-21-12
Today from Hiiraan Online:  _
More violence in Mogadishu, growing concern for civilians
MISNA
Monday, October 06, 2008
Violent fighting continued throughout the weekend in Mogadishu between insurgents and Somali and Ethiopian troops. Unidentified gunmen attacked the offices of an aid group in the outskirts of the capital, stealing computers and other office material. "We are increasingly concerned because the violence is now not even sparing residential areas and health or humanitarian structures", said to MISNA Mohammed Ali Ahmed Mohalin, vice-director of Mogadishu's main Medina Hospital. After clashes yesterday in a suburban area of the capital along the road to the airport, involving also soldiers of the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM), "a civilian was killed and other 16 were hospitalised", added Ali. "The situation has become unbearable for the population and the fighting is forcing residents to live as recluses", continued the Medina vice-director, specifying that "two homes were entirely destroyed by mortar shells overnight". Meanwhile, a meeting is being held at the Bakara market between traders and city officials "to evaluate the possibility of closing the airport for security reasons". A move that on one hand seeks to limit targets of insurgent attacks, but on the other would render the life of the population even more difficult: "closing the airport would mean being without medical supplies, which would be a catastrophe considering that we are a country at war", said the Medina vice-director. Human Rights Watch today once again denounced the situation of the Somali population, defining it the most "ignored tragedy" by the international community and adding that "if such a situation was happening anywhere else in the world it would be considered a travesty".


SOURCE: Missionary International Service News Agency (MISNA) ,Monday, October 06, 2008

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