Hiiraan Online
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
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Mogadishu (HOL) - Reports we have received from the city of Bal’ad located 30 KM north of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia say that a fighting broke between two Islamist factions.The fighting which took place at the city’s Police Station was between Al-Shabaab fighters and forces that belong to of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). The two factions which belonged to UIC courts before they were ousted from power by Ethiopian forces in December of 2006 broke ranks because of differences in how to deal with the interim federal government and Ethiopian invasion of Somalia. Both groups had presence in the city before the fighting.
Eye witnesses have confirmed to us that after hours of fighting, the UIC forces defeated Al-Shabaab forces and took control of the city. Eye witnesses say they could see UIC forces patrolling the city and chanting God is great.
However, officers who spoke on behalf of Al-Shabaab forces say that they have lost only the Police Station and their forces maintain presence in several areas of the city and that they plan to retake the Police Station.
The only casualties of the fighting so far confirmed are a mother and her two children who were hit by bullets being exchanged between the two forces.
Many of the city’s residents also fled from their homes fearing they will be hurt by the exchange of heavy weapons and bullets.