Thursday, September 09, 2010
The civilians have lost their lives after they were caught in cross-fire between AU troops and al-Shabab fighters in the north and south of the capital, a government security official said.
Seven troops were wounded in the gunfight.
A health official, meanwhile, said 36 civilians were injured as well.
Witnesses say the injured are still trapped inside their houses amid the clashes.
The new clashes broke out as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said on Tuesday that the fighting in Mogadishu has killed at least 230 civilians and displaced 23,000 people over the past two weeks.
Al-Shabab fighters claim that the government troops are losing territory in the capital as the area under the interim government's control has already shrunk to a few blocks.
Somalia has not had a functioning government since warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
DB/MGH
Source: PressTV