fiogf49gjkf0d
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
MOGADISHU (AFP) — Hardline Islamist rebels clashed with government troops in Somalia's war-riven capital for a fifth successive day Monday, as the country's embattled leader vowed to stay in control.
Witnesses said at least two people were killed when a mortar shell landed near a cafe in northern Mogadishu, the epicentre of clashes that have killed at least 41 people and injured around 200, mostly civilians, since Thursday.
"A mortar shell struck very close to a cafe and killed two civilians while three others were injured," witness Mohammed Hassan told AFP.
Earlier police said the rebels had attacked government troops in the Fagah district of Mogadishu.
"The fighting is very heavy and both sides are using machine-guns and anti-aircraft weapons," police officer Mohamed Abdi told AFP.
Witnesses said the fighting subsided after an hour.
President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed condemned the clashes and said his government would do everything to protect its integrity.
"This is unfortunate fighting, waged by elements whose only skill is war, but the decision of my government is quite clear... it will defend the integrity of Somalia and its governance," Ahmed told reporters.
Fighting in Mogadishu erupted on Thursday, with both sides using heavy machine guns, artillery and anti-aircraft weapons. It escalated at the weekend, with a bloody attack on a mosque on Sunday.
The war-battered city had Monday enjoyed a lull in the fighting with some businesses opening and traffic returning on the streets for a few hours.
Islamist Shebab fighters were seen in their battle vehicles stationed in areas in southern Mogadishu that they claimed to have wrested from the government.
The latest fighting was among the heaviest in months. In February, just after Ahmed was elected, the Shebab launched attacks against government troops, killing dozens.
Hardliners have rejected talks with Ahmed's government, even after it endorsed plans to introduce Islamic law, a key demand of the opposition militants.
Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Salad, chairman of a religious panel trying to mediate between the two sides, said they were concerned over the deteriorating situation.
"We had been contacting both sides in the past week to avoid bloodshed, but they ignored our calls and engaged in fighting that led to civilian casualties," he told AFP.
Source: AFP, May 12, 2009