Hiiraan Online
Thursday, September 03, 2009
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Mogadishu, Somalia (HOL) - Heavy fighting has erupted between AMISOM troops in Mogadishu and insurgent forces fighting the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia near Jaale Siyaad base in Mogadishu. The AMISOM troops who engaged the insurgents are from Burundi who along with Ugandan troops are stationed in Mogadishu under a United Nations mandate to restore security to Somalia. According to witnesses, the fighting erupted after Islamic insurgents attacked the base occupied by Burundian troops.
Up to five people died as a result of the fighting and many others were wounded. The dead and wounded are civilians who died as a result of shells that fell in civilian areas such as the districts of Hodan and Dayniile.
The fighting frightened the residents of city who at the time the shelling started were preparing to break their fast after a long hot day of fasting.
Since the start of the holy month of Ramadan, there have been armed clashes that often start at the time when people are in the process of breaking their fast. The fighting is between TFG and AMISOM troops on one side and forces opposed to them on the other side. Mostly of the victims of these fighting are civilians who are not involved in the fighting.
Senior members of the insurgents said in the past that they will increase their attacks on the TFG bases as well as bases occupied by AMISOM troops.