By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Today, Ethiopian soldiers entered the northern town of Hodan, where insurgents regularly attack governmental soldiers and bases, and were quickly met with heavily armed insurgents. After a bloody battle involving Ethiopian tanks, machine guns and grenades, 18 people were left dead and dozens wounded. This was one of two violent clashes that took place in the streets of Mogadishu today.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced people have fled the capital since the fighting began late last year, however the number of refugees has increased dramatically in recent weeks as the violence and combat worsen. Those who remained in the capital are trapped in their homes, with no means of receiving police or medical assistance.  Aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has been unable to reach those in need due to the incessant violence, and many of the wounded people bleed to death. According to Colin McIlreavy, the MSF head of mission for Somalia, many people are forced to remain where they are and hope the violence doesn’t reach them.

Later today, Islamist insurgents dragged the dead bodies of two Ethiopian soldiers through the streets of Mogadishu, as a group of people followed chanting “God is great” and pelting the bodies with rocks. The scene was reminiscent of the failed 1993 U.S. operation in which the dead bodies of U.S. soldiers were dragged in the streets after two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down.

The gruesome event was preceded by fighting in the Suqa Holaha neighborhood in northern Mogadishu. Ethiopian soldiers entered the town by the hundreds, according to a local resident, and were again met with fierce resistance.  The total death toll of soldiers today was nine. Thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed since the fighting began. Thus far, the transitional government has been unable to gain control of the country.

For more information please see:

AllAfrica.com – Somalia: 19 People Killed 9 of Them Ethiopian Soldiers After Bloody Battle Erupts in Mogadishu – 8 November 2007

AllAfrica.com – Somalia: Mogadishu Residents Trapped By Violence – 7 November 2007

BBC- Bodies Dragged Through Mogadishu – 8 November 2007

Reuters: Africa – Somali Insurgents Drag Dead Ethiopians in Street – 8 November 2007