Witnesses: At least 12 killed in Somalia fighting between government forces, Islamic militia
By APFriday, June 18, 2010
Witnesses: At least 12 killed in Somalia fighting
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Witnesses say at least 12 people have been killed in Somalia’s capital in fighting between government forces and an Islamic militia group.
The witnesses said five government soldiers, four fighters from an al-Qaida-linked group and three civilians died during the one-hour battle Friday.
Government officials, though, deny any of their soldiers were killed. Al-Shabab spokesman Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage declined to comment on casualties.
The battle began when al-Shabab fighters attacked a government base in the southwest Mogadishu area of Dharkenlay.
Islamist insurgents have been trying to topple Somalia’s Western-backed government for three years. They now control large parts of the country’s center and south.
