Friday, February 12, 2010
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MOGADISHU, Somalia -- A health worker and residents say eight people have been killed as mortars pounded the Somali capital during an attack on government soldiers by an extremist Islamic group. The health worker says a mortar landed on a minivan, killing five people inside, including a six-year-old boy. Ali Muse of Mogadishu's ambulance service says 17 other people were wounded during Friday's fighting.
In southern and northern Mogadishu, residents reported three people were killed.
Hundreds of residents, who thought a much-talked about government offensive against al-Shabab had begun, fled in minivans, on donkey carts or pushing wheelbarrows carrying their household goods. Others just walked.
Somalia has not had an effective government for 19 years.
Source: AP