90 killed in clashes in Mogadishu, massive displacement of citizens
Somalia, Politics, 3/25/2006

At least 29 persons were killed in the Somali capital Mogadishu during the past 24 hours and thereby the number of killings in the fierce fighting between warring groups reached 90 persons during the three past days.

The radio "voice of democracy" station quoted eye witnesses as saying that hundreds of Somalis fled from the capital and the companies closed doors during the eruption of fighting between fighters supporting the strong "legal " courts and the militia leaders who are linked to political groups which are recently formed under the name of "Mogadishu alliance for fighting terrorism."

TV shots showed relatives gathering in a hospital in Mogadishu were the victims and injured were admitted, beaten on the head and chest with one child laying unconscious of injuries in the head, arm and the stomach.

The leader of one Islamic armed group said that Mogadishu alliance for fighting terrorism was the reason of this war. He added that this group says it fights terrorists while its operations result in killing innocent people.

Local citizens said that the alliance was formed at the beginning of this year at the support of the USA which has fears that Somalia is a secure heaven for armed Islamists.

The US State Department did not comment on the accusation but issued a general statement on the situation on Somalia in which it said that the US shares concern of the majority of the Somali people over the existence of "foreign terrorists."

It also expressed concern over the possibility that few Somalis will ensure haven for those foreign terrorists inside Somalia. "A matter which will undermine the efforts of establishing peace in Somalia and threatens stability in the African horn."

Leaders of militias in Somalia dominates Somalia, whose inhabitants tolls 10 million since the toppling of dictator Seyad Berri in 1991.

The Interim government which was formed in Kenya returned back to the country in 2005 but could not impose control, and this was in attempt number 14 to form a government in Somalia. The government is still positioned in Jawhar outside of the capital because of security fears.

Hopes were renewed to establishing peace after the new Somali parliament held its first session in Somalia in February, but the fighting in Mogadishu confirmed the extent of difficulty in ending violence.

Previous Stories:
  UN urges Somali militias to let aid through   (3/24/2006)
  60 killed in warring groups clashes in Somalia   (3/24/2006)
  Safety concer for humanitarian workers in Somalia after abduction   (3/4/2006)
  Drought causing Somalian migration, Ethiopian deterioration   (2/28/2006)
  UN envoy in Somalia urges leaders to chose reconciliation over chaos   (2/27/2006)
  UN leads meeting to map reconstruction of Somalia   (11/23/2005)

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