Friday, May 27, 2011
General Abdikariim Yussuf said the army has sent message to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM), asking them to take all measures to avoid civilian casualties.
Speaking to reporters in the restive
"AMISOM take orders from the Somali army and we have asked them to avoid shelling in populated settlements and to take necessary measures in order to avoid civilian deaths. We only allow them to shell Al-shabaab’s frontline” said the army official.
He described their aim as one that targets to reduce loss of lives and properties among
The statement from the Somali army came barely a few hours after criticism from a cross section of Somali lawmakers who urged both the TFG and AMISOM forces to halt the bombardment of the influential Bakara Market.
The legislatures said the Market which is the largest in
Bakara market has been a deadly battleground since last week when TFG and AMSIOM forces have made an advancement to take over a large swathe of the area from Al-Shabaab fighters.
Bakara served as a stronghold for insurgent group Al-Shabaab. But AMISOM and TFG forces have closed in and appear to be tightening their grip on strategic positions within the market.
In one of the first Bakara battles a few days ago, at least 16 people were killed following shelling in which AMSIOM and TFG both denied. The battle is getting expensive for all parties. AMISOM says two soldiers and 22 insurgents were killed in fighting around the market in the past few days.