Tahliil Posted September 24, 2007 Six killed in Somalia violence 9 hours ago MOGADISHU (AFP) — Six people, including four soldiers, were killed in Mogadishu as violence raged between Somali government forces and an Islamist-led insurgency, witnesses and security sources said Monday. Fighting erupted late Sunday when around 50 insurgents attacked government forces with heavy weapons, according to witnesses. "We have lost three government soldiers including Nur Warsame Hirey, the commander of the unit that was attacked last night near Barakat Cemetery," a military commander told AFP on condition of anonymity. The body of a fourth soldier was found near the scene of the fighting early Monday, said witness Husein Mohamed Osman. Gunmen also shot dead two local officials in northern Mogadishu on Monday, said Abdukadir Nur Barre, a local grocer who witnessed the incident. Last week, a newly formed Islamist-dominated alliance said its forces had launched an offensive against Ethiopian troops who helped the government topple an Islamist movement that briefly controlled much of Somalia. Since the movement was defeated in January, its remnants have carried out near-daily guerrilla attacks mainly in the capital. Somalia has lacked an effective government since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre touched off a deadly clan-based power struggle that has defied numerous efforts to restore stability. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
