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Fresh clashes in Mogadishu kill 18 Somalis
Al-Shabab militants in Somalia (file photo)
Press TV
Monday, March 12, 2012

Violent clashes between al-Shabab militants and Somali government forces in the conflict-ridden capital of Mogadishu have claimed the lives of at least 18 people, Press TV reports.

The heavy fighting, which broke out on Sunday, have left at least nine people dead and seven others injured, including five children, in and around the Badbado refugee camp south of Mogadishu.

African Union (AU)-backed Somali government forces have accused al-Shabab Military officials of targeting the refugee camp.

Another nine people also lost their lives in the Hodan district of Mogadishu after shells landed on their houses.

Meanwhile on Saturday, more than 100 people were reported killed as al-Shabab militants launched an attack on the Somali government and Ethiopian troops.

The fresh clashes come as the AU announced on Friday that Ethiopia plans to pull out of Somalia by the end of April with soldiers from Djibouti, Uganda and Burundi replacing their positions.

The weak Western-backed transitional government in Mogadishu has been battling al-Shabab militants for the past five years.

Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.



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