Somalia

Dozens killed in Somali clashes

Article published on the 2008-06-20 Latest update 2008-06-20 19:14 TU

Clashes have caused numerous civilian casualties in Mogadishu.
(Photo : Reuters)

At least 30 people have been killed in overnight clashes in Somalia. The fighting came after a peace deal was signed in Djibouti last week. The 10 June pact between Somalia's interim government and some opposition figures was rejected by hardline Islamists in exile and insurgents.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack, although most deaths have been the result of clashes between Islamist rebels and allied Somali-Ethiopian forces.

The clashes erupted late Thursday after insurgents attacked  Gulwadeyaasha camp, a Somali government base in southern Mogadishu, as well as a stadium where Ethiopian forces are based.

Ethiopian troops - who have been supporting the transitional Somali government - retaliated by raining mortar fire on surrounding neighbourhoods.

"The death toll from Thursday's fierce battles between Ethiopian troops backing Somalian government forces and insurgent fighters has reached nearly 30 dead, including five children from a single family," said RFI correspondent Abduraman Warsameh.

 

 

Civilians have borne the brunt of the violence in Somalia since Ethiopian forces intervened to help an embattled government topple the Islamic Courts Union in late 2006.

According to several rights organisations and aid groups, at least 6,000 civilians were killed during the last year of fighting.