by Laura Hirahara
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia- The New York based organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a report on the war-torn capital of Somalia, Mogadishu, citing heightened violence between Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Islamic militant group al-Shabaab .  In this report, HRW has called upon the international community to intervene in Somalia to prevent further civilian casualties and stop the flow of refugees out of the country.

Somalia has existed without a central government since 1991 when President Mohamed Siad Barre was removed from power.  In 2006, Ethiopian military forces entered Mogadishu to oust an Islamic court coalition which was controlling the city.  Since then, violence has steadily escalated, leading to all out war-fare in the streets of Mogadishu and mortar and rocket fire attacks within the city limits.

Al-Shabaab, which claims ties to al-Qaeda, has launched two major offenses against the TFG, both in May and then again over August and September of last year.  Currently, the TFG, which is the internationally recognized government of Somalia, controls only portions of the capital city.  The TFG has support from nearly 8,000 African Union peacekeeping troops but battles have been brutal and often amount to small gains and losses.  Frank Langfitt, reporting from Mogadisu for NPR stated “This morning. . .the African Union took about 70 yards and they expect that later tonight al-Shabaab will try to take back that 70 yards.”

In the midst of this fighting, thousands of civilians in Mogadishu are either leaving their homes or becoming victims of the conflict.  Though Somalis have been fleeing to refugee camps in Kenya since 1991, the recent conflict has prompted everyone who can afford to leave Mogadishu to make the journey across the border.  The International Committee of the Red Cross reported this last January that it received a record number of patients with war related injuries in 2010, amounting to over 2,300 injured.  HRW claims that both sides are responsible for massive civilian deaths which they believe may amount to war crimes.  Said  Rona Peligal, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch, “The world has for too long ignored the appalling cost to civilians of the fighting in Mogadishu. . .An international commission of inquiry is urgently needed to investigate war crimes committed in Somalia by all sides.”

For more information, please see;

Bloomberg- War Crimes Investigation Needed in Somali Capital, Civil Rights Group Says– 14 Feb., 2011

Bikyamasr- End War Crimes in Mogadishu– 15 Feb., 2011

NPR- On the Front Lines in Somalia– 14 Feb., 2011