'Clashes in Somalia kill 15, wound several'

Press TV
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

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Clashes between al-Shabab fighters and government forces in different parts of Somalia have left 15 people dead and several others injured, Press TV reports.

“Clashes broke out Sunday and resumed on Monday when insurgent forces attacked our bases in Karaan’s republic village, but we repelled them,” said Abdullahi Ali Anod, a government military officer in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, a Press TV correspondent reported Monday.

Karaan, a district in northern Mogadishu, has been the scene of fierce fighting between al-Shabab and government forces who are backed by the African Union troops.

“We have killed several rebels but I can't confirm exactly figures,” Anod added.

Residents, however, say that at least one government soldier was killed and more than four other people were injured in the crossfire.

Local people in the south of Mogadishu also reported that mortars hit houses in Dharkenley district, killing two other civilians.

Meanwhile, fierce clashes broke out between Somali fighters and government soldiers in the areas of Masalah and Asluubta as well as in the Sarkusta checkpoint near Mogadishu on Monday.

Ahmed Abdulahi (Yare), a government security officer, said the fighting started after al-Shabab launched a surprise assault on government bases.

“Mujahidin (al-Shabab) successfully attacked our enemy bases in Mogadishu and outskirt, we have killed more than 12 soldiers in the attack,” Sheikh Mohamed Hassan Abu-Abdirahman told a pro-fighters radio station.

Somalia has been without a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former junta ruler Mohamed Siad Barre.

Strategically located in the Horn of Africa, Somalia is one of the countries generating the highest number of refugees and internally displaced people in the world.

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