Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Islamic insurgents who control much of rural Somalia launched an early-morning attack on international peacekeepers and government soldiers in this battered capital of Mogadishu on Friday, killing at least 10 people and injuring over 21 others.
Medical officials said most of the casualties were civilians whose houses had been hit by mortar fire, some of which appeared to have come from African Union peacekeepers and government troops.
The attack came as the transitional government prepared to mark its one-year anniversary with a parade, poetry readings and celebrations at Villa Somalia, the presidential palace. It was not clear whether the assault was timed to coincide with the anniversary festivities, but it offered another reminder of the government’s weakening grip on security.
"We were woken up by the explosions at 2 a.m. and haven't slept since because of the non-stop shelling," said Nurta Hussein, another resident. "Two mortar bombs landed in this neighborhood, killing four civilians and wounding six."
Residents described it as the most serious fighting in months. “I thought I was dreaming when I heard the sound of the artillery,” said Asha Abdulle, a mother of four.
Militants from the rebel group Al Shabaab and an allied group, Hizbul Islam, claimed responsibility in a statement, saying that they had assaulted “the strongholds of the enemies of Allah.”
Al Shabaab, some branches of which have ties to Al Qaeda, has seized control of much of southern Somalia. The Islamic insurgents have carried out suicide bombings and frontal attacks against Somali officials and peacekeeping troops as it seeks to unseat the country’s fragile government.
In addition to attacks on government forces, militants have launched mortar assaults on the country’s main airport and bombed a college graduation ceremony.
Western powers have spent millions on weapons and training Somali defense forces, but rampant defections and military victories by Al Shabaab rebels and their allies, who control some two-thirds of the country, have sharply limited the Somali government’s power.
Violence in Somalia has killed 19,000 civilians since the start of 2007 and uprooted a further 1.5 million people, a contributing cause of one of the world's worst humanitarian emergencies.
For more information, please see:
Shabelle Media Network -5 Killed, 15 Wounded Violence in Mogadishu Once Again - 29 January 2010
Garowe Online - Clashes in Mogadishu Claims 10 - 29 January 2010
New York Times - Islamic Militants Launch Assault on Somali Capital – 29 January 2010
Reuters - At Least 12 Killed in Mogadishu Fighting – 29 January 2010




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