Fighting Continues In Somalia For The 3rd Day
Renewed confrontation between government forces and Islamic Insurgents in Somalia has killed at least 40 civilians and forced thousands to flee parts of Mogadishu.
Eyewitnesses report the deaths of at least 30 fighters from both sides as the rebels try to expand their incursion in to the city following the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces.
Clashes between the Islamic Party, a group allied to Al-Shabab, and government forces supported by AMISOM forces fought sporadic wars in Hodan district of Mogadishu on Thursday.
AMISOM forces in Mogadishu, Somalia
The internationally supported government of Sheikh Sharif controls small pockets of the city including the main airport and seaport but has lost most of Southern regions of Somalia to Al-Shabab and its allied groups.
Efforts by the new president to include Al-Shabab in his government failed as the group set the withdrawal of all foreign forces as a precondition to starting a discussion with his government on possibility ceasefire and eventual formation o f a unity government.
Sheikh Sherif who himself consistently opposed the deployment of foreign forces in Somalia before and after the Ethiopian invasion in late 2006, now says his government needs them to protect key locations including the presidential palace.
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