Mogadishu, (insidesomalia.org) - The first contingent of 100 peacekeepers from Burundi arrived here in Somali capital city of Mogadishu on Sunday, after heavy fighting erupted overnight between Somali government forces backed by Ethiopian army against Islamist rebels claiming at least four people died and six others wounded.

The arrival of 100 Burundian peacekeepers in Mogadishu manifestation of the first segment of long delayed 1,700 troops the Burundi government pledged to send to Somalia’s capital support for 1,600 Ugandan troops deployed in March as the vanguard of a planned African Union mission.

Ugandan troops have been restricted to guarding Mogadishu’s sea and air ports and Presidential Palace, as well as providing security for top government officials.

“One hundred peacekeepers from Burundi have just landed here” said Captain Paddy Ankunda, the AU force spokesman speaking reporters at the Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu.

The Burundian troops were meant to arrive in July but repeatedly delayed and it was not clear when the rest of the Burundi contingent would arrive.

On the other hand, heavy fighting broke out overnight in the northern neighbourhoods of Mogadishu including Suuqa Xoolaha , Huriwaa, Towfik, and Yaqshid after insurgent force attacked government forces positions and their Ethiopians allies.

At least four people were killed and six others wounded as both confronting sides exchanged barrages of artillery and machinegun fire.

“At least two people were killed when a mortar shell landed at home in Yaqshid” said Mohamed Ali Jiis, a resident speaking insidesomalia.org by the telephone line.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Write comment

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment