Shelling in Mogadishu Kills 20

By Jared Kleinman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia – At least 20 people have been killed and more than 35 others wounded in north of the Somali capital Mogadishu, just as heavy shelling landed into several areas in the capital on Thursday afternoon.

The bombardment started after rebel fighters launched mortar attacks on the Somali presidential Palace, which was hosting a meeting between Somali president Sheikh Sharif Ahmed and traditional elders. African Union troops, which guard the palace, responded to the attack with heavy artillery shells that landed in Mogadishu’s northern neighbourhoods of Yaqshid and Shibi.

Mostly civilians were confirmed as casualties by the Mogadishu ambulance workers, who had hard time evading the shelling themselves in order to reach the wounded.

Reports say that most of the areas where the mortar shells affected were: Tokyo neighborhood, Sukba’ad, the second largest market in Mogadishu and Yakshid police station, all in the north of the capital.

Ali Muse, head of the emergency ambulance said that they took 19 wounded civilians including all parts of the people and added that they saw 11 dead bodies in the area as well.

The Somali PM called on international community not to organize another national reconciliation talks but instead to help his fragile government. The Somali government, which only control few blocks of Mogadishu, has been faced with daunting task of restoring peace and order in a country. The country has been marred by years of civil strife.

For more information, please see:

Garrowe Online- Shelling Rocks Mogadishu, 20 Dead – 7 January 2010

Shabelle Media Network – Heavy Shelling Kills 20, Wounds More Than 35 Others in North Mogadishu – 8 January 2010

Shabelle Media Network – Mortars Murder 1, Injuries 3 Others in Mogadishu – 8 January 2010

Author: Impunity Watch Archive