Thursday, May 14, 2009

Somalia: Mortar shell kills three in Mogadishu as new military commander appointed

at least three people have been killed seven others wounded after heavy fighting between Islamists and government soldiers erupted in Suqbacad, Sinaay and Jardinka areas in north Mogadishu, witnesses said on Thursday.

Fu’ad Mo’allin Muhudin, one of Suqba’ad residents told Mareeg media that a mortar shell landed into Suqba’ad neighbourhood in Yaqshid district killed three people injuring seven others including Somali journalist adding that the injured people were civilians and took later to a hospital.

Residents said the fighting started early on Thursday in areas that the two sides have been fighting for the last eight days in the capital.

The sound of gun fire could be heard in the area and people are fleeing from their homes for the eighth day in Mogadishu.

On the other hand, fighting between al-Shabab and allied Islamic Courts Union and Ahlu Sunna Waljma’a has taken place overnight in Yasoman village about 50 km east of Bulobarde town in Hiraan region in central Somalia.

It is not exactly known the causalities but some reports indicate that 1 person has been killed and four others have been injured in the fighting.

Officials from the Islamic Courts Union whom we contacted said they were part of the fighting and added they attacked convoy of al-Shabab in the area.

Mareeg was unable to reach al-Shabab officials for comment. The fighting in Mogadishu seems to spread into central Somalia where Islamist factions have been fighting since the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops in December, 2008. Meanwhile Somali president has appointed General Yusuf Dhumal to the Ministry of Defence he is charged with making and executing Defence policy, and with providing the means by which it is executed. This appointment comes as court union militia desert the government when alshaba tried to overthrow sheriff government last week.

the information minister of the transitional government has held a press conference in the prime minister’s house on Thursday and said that the military commander of the Somali government General Said Dere was resigned

Mr. Farhan told the reporters after meeting held in the PM’s house in Mogadishu by the ministers saying that General Said Mohamed Hersi known as (Said Dhere) was resigned adding that his post was appointed by Yusuf Hussein Dumal, the deputy police commander of Somalia.

The information minister of Somalia Mr. Farhan Ali Mohamud also said that Mr. Said Dere was appointed to be the security secretary of the Somali president Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed.

On the other hand Mr. Farhan Ali Mohamud said that Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, the Islamist opposition leader of Somalia wants to overthrow the transitional government of Somlia led by president Sharif Sheik Ahmed.

The minister said lastly that the last 8th day fighting in Mogadishu died at least 103 people injuring 420 saying that most of the those people were civilians referring to hospital sources adding that more than 18,000 civilians displaced from their houses for the result of heavy shelling and gunfire in the capital Mogadishu

Source: Mareeg

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