Residents flee fierce fighting as rebels attack Mogadishu
Source: Agencies |
March 13, 2010, Saturday
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FIGHTING erupted in Somalia's capital for the third straight day yesterday in some of the worst violence in nearly a year, as government-backed troops shelled the front lines of rebels trying to advance into government-held territory.
Mogadishu's mayor warned residents to flee the fighting, which is expected to intensify in coming weeks after the government launches a long-awaited offensive against Islamist insurgents.
Emergency officials say at least 50 people were killed and nearly 150 wounded in fighting in the Somali capital on Wednesday and Thursday. At least two more people were killed in fighting early yesterday, a resident reported, and emergency officials said at least six were wounded.
Rebels advanced to within two kilometers from the government-held area on Thursday, but have since been pushed back several blocks.
Mogadishu Mayor Abdurisaq Mohamed Nor told citizens to move at least a couple of kilometers away from battle zones. Residents in Mogadishu are often caught in crossfire or are hit by off-target munitions.
"The ongoing fighting is not part of our planned major offensive, but there is possibility that it can follow, we urge the civilians to flee from the battle zones," said Nor. "This time your suffering will not last much longer. We will finish the rebels off."
Resident Mohamed Abdi Haji said that about 200 insurgents aboard a dozen gun-mounted vehicles moved into his neighborhood and drove toward the presidential palace. Government soldiers and African Union peacekeepers fired barrages and forced them to retreat, he said.
An Associated Press reporter in Mogadishu said the fighting is the heaviest since last May, when insurgents trying to topple the weak, United Nations-backed government launched massive attacks.
Residents fleeing the city said many of their relatives and neighbors are trapped in the war zone.
"My husband and six of my relatives and some of my neighbors are trapped inside their homes ... by mortars and bullets flying everywhere," said Dahabo Duhulow, a mother of six.
One donkey-pulled cart was piled high with red couches and household belongings, pushed by Adow Yusef Da'ud and his two-year-old son.
He said he had walked three hours through dangerous streets to escape the fighting.
"During the day and during the night, the shells were raining down into our homes," Da'ud said. "We had to walk through the danger to escape. My oldest son is still there to take care of the house."
More than half of those in Somalia's seaside capital have fled. Those remaining are mostly too poor to move or fear being attacked.
Mogadishu's mayor warned residents to flee the fighting, which is expected to intensify in coming weeks after the government launches a long-awaited offensive against Islamist insurgents.
Emergency officials say at least 50 people were killed and nearly 150 wounded in fighting in the Somali capital on Wednesday and Thursday. At least two more people were killed in fighting early yesterday, a resident reported, and emergency officials said at least six were wounded.
Rebels advanced to within two kilometers from the government-held area on Thursday, but have since been pushed back several blocks.
Mogadishu Mayor Abdurisaq Mohamed Nor told citizens to move at least a couple of kilometers away from battle zones. Residents in Mogadishu are often caught in crossfire or are hit by off-target munitions.
"The ongoing fighting is not part of our planned major offensive, but there is possibility that it can follow, we urge the civilians to flee from the battle zones," said Nor. "This time your suffering will not last much longer. We will finish the rebels off."
Resident Mohamed Abdi Haji said that about 200 insurgents aboard a dozen gun-mounted vehicles moved into his neighborhood and drove toward the presidential palace. Government soldiers and African Union peacekeepers fired barrages and forced them to retreat, he said.
An Associated Press reporter in Mogadishu said the fighting is the heaviest since last May, when insurgents trying to topple the weak, United Nations-backed government launched massive attacks.
Residents fleeing the city said many of their relatives and neighbors are trapped in the war zone.
"My husband and six of my relatives and some of my neighbors are trapped inside their homes ... by mortars and bullets flying everywhere," said Dahabo Duhulow, a mother of six.
One donkey-pulled cart was piled high with red couches and household belongings, pushed by Adow Yusef Da'ud and his two-year-old son.
He said he had walked three hours through dangerous streets to escape the fighting.
"During the day and during the night, the shells were raining down into our homes," Da'ud said. "We had to walk through the danger to escape. My oldest son is still there to take care of the house."
More than half of those in Somalia's seaside capital have fled. Those remaining are mostly too poor to move or fear being attacked.
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