Somalia clashes leaves 60 dead
ISN SECURITY WATCH (Thursday, 23 March: 16.05 CET) - At least 60 people have been killed and dozens of others wounded in two days of clashes between rival militia groups in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, news agencies reported.
According to witnesses cited by reporters, the violence erupted over the ownership of a piece of land near Aisaley airport, some 30 kilometers north of the capital.
The area is said to be currently under the control of influential businessmen.
Dozens of people reportedly fled their homes as the rival militias battled each other with rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft guns, machine guns, assault rifles, and hand grenades.
News agencies cited local residents as saying that Islamic militiamen had attacked a checkpoint in a residential neighborhood controlled by a member of a new alliance of warlords and businessmen, and seized control of three trucks with mounted machine guns.
Last month, the businessmen controlling the area formed an alliance with local warlords to protect the property against the Islamic faction, which they refer to as “terrorists”.
Rival groups have been involved in frequent clashes in Somalia since the overthrow of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, which left the country in a state of anarchy without a functioning government.
According to witnesses cited by reporters, the violence erupted over the ownership of a piece of land near Aisaley airport, some 30 kilometers north of the capital.
The area is said to be currently under the control of influential businessmen.
Dozens of people reportedly fled their homes as the rival militias battled each other with rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft guns, machine guns, assault rifles, and hand grenades.
News agencies cited local residents as saying that Islamic militiamen had attacked a checkpoint in a residential neighborhood controlled by a member of a new alliance of warlords and businessmen, and seized control of three trucks with mounted machine guns.
Last month, the businessmen controlling the area formed an alliance with local warlords to protect the property against the Islamic faction, which they refer to as “terrorists”.
Rival groups have been involved in frequent clashes in Somalia since the overthrow of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, which left the country in a state of anarchy without a functioning government.
posted by Marko at 3/23/2006 02:34:00 PM
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