Mogadishu: Residents of Mogadishu say heavy fighting has broken out between pro-government troops and militants who still control small pockets of Somalia's capital.
The spokesman for the African Union force, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, said on Monday that the attacks are meant to push militants from the al-Shabab militant group out of range of civilians. Ankunda said that 12 civilians were killed Sunday from militant attacks.
Ali Haji, a Mogadishu resident, said he saw Somali soldiers stationed near the fighting. He said residents were fleeing.
Last week, al-Shabab unleashed a suicide attack in Mogadishu that killed more than 100 people. On Sunday, thousands of Mogadishu residents held a rare rally to protest the bombing.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, October 10, 2011, 15:58