Somalia

Clashes in the capital bring death toll to 13

Article published on the 2008-09-24 Latest update 2008-09-24 17:29 TU

Residents stand near the body of a civilian killed in Mogadishu
(Credit: Reuters)

Six bodies were discovered in Mogadishu overnight, raising the death toll to 13 as African peacekeepers and Islamist rebels fought each other in the streets. Insurgents attacked a peacekeeping base in the southern part of the city late Tuesday, leaving at least seven civilians dead who had been caught in the crossfire.

Medical sources from Mogadishu's Madina hospital said at least 30 civilians were wounded in the clashes.

Fighting erupted on Monday, resulting in 45 deaths.

A group of insurgents called Mujahideens of Raskamboni said it had attacked peacekeepers.

"It was a retalitory attack against the African forces and it was the heaviest ever waged against them," the group's spokesman Mohamoud Dulyadeyn said.