Bartamaha (Mogadishu):- A new wave of clashes has erupted in Somali’s restive capital, Mogadishu, between Somali fighters and African Union troops, claiming the lives of at least 15 civilians and injuring over 40 others.

Fierce skirmishes and gun battles broke out late Friday in the northern districts of Hodan, Hawlwadag and Bondere in Mogadishu, pitting Somali fighters against pro-government forces and African Union troops, a Press TV correspondent reported on Saturday.

According to witnesses, seven civilians, including three women, were slain in the shelling that rocked the busy Bakara market.

In a separate incident, three other civilians were killed during shrill exchanges of fire in the Bondhere district, where al-Shabab fighters fought Somali troops in pitched gun battles which was the worst fighting in recent days, a witness said.

I have seen the bodies of five civilians, including two women, lying dead near Dabka intersection,” the witness added.

Meanwhile, medics reported that the injured civilians were taken to Medina hospital to receive treatment.

The fall-out comes as al-Shabab’s leader Sheikh Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr (Godane) has called on fighters to ramp up their attacks against what he described as foreign invaders.

Over the past months, Mogadishu has been plagued by bloody battles between government forces and local fighters — both of whom are trying to take control of the Somali capital.

Somalia has lacked a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

More than three years of internal conflict in Somalia has killed at least 21,000 people and forced another 1.5 million to flee their homes, triggering one the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophes.

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Source:- Press Tv

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