Somalia - fighting

At least 17 killed in airport shelling

Article published on the 2009-10-22 Latest update 2009-10-22 08:35 TU

Somali Islamist insurgents from Hisbul Islam patrol the streets of the capital Mogadishu
(Credit: Reuters)

Insurgents shelled the airport in Mogadishu on Thursday. At least 17 people have been killed and 58 injured according to medical staff after an exchange of fire between African Union peacekeepers and rebel militias.

 Mortar fire began at the airport as President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was boarding a plane on his way to Kampala for the AU refugee summit, according to police officer Colonel Ali Abdullahi.

African Union peacekeepers fired back.

Mogadishu has been quite calm since the beginning of October, as two insurgent groups have been fighting amongst each other in the southern port city of Kismayo, some 500 kilometres away.