Bartamaha (Nairobi):- Heavy shelling between Islamist fighters and Somali government forces killed at least 16 people in Mogadishu Monday, medical sources and witnesses said.
The shelling started in the afternoon when the insurgents fired mortars at the presidential palace and the airport during a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the country?s national army.
Government troops backed by African Union peacekeepers responded with heavy artillery fire, striking several densely populated civilian neighbourhoods.
“It was indiscriminate shelling,” said Ali Muse, the head of Mogadishu’s ambulance services.
“Our teams collected the bodies of 16 civilians, while 55 others were injured in the shelling. Several children are among the dead…” he told AFP, describing the firefight as the “worst shelling in recent months”.
Other witnesses gave the same death toll.
Somali government officials confirmed the shelling but declined to give details.
Civilians have been the worst affected by the clashes between the warring sides fighting for control of Mogadishu.

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Source:- AP

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