Mogadishu, (insidesomalia.org) Insurgent forces fighting against the Somali government and Ethiopian Troops in Mogadishu last night attacked several Ethiopian military compounds at north and south side of Mogadishu.  The military bases attacked were along the industrial Street, Huriwa,  30^th Street , Bar Ubah, former pasta factory compound and Maslah in the south and North of the capital city of Mogadishu.

Exchange of heavy gunshots could be heard through the city and residences near bases have fled to avoid being caught in cross fire.  No casualties have been reported by either side.

These latest fighting followed an announcement by Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi speaking on the Ethiopian parliament stating that Ethiopia army was bogged down urban warfare in Somalia and could not withdraw his troops.

Ethiopian army was expected to withdraw from Somalia earlier in the year, after ICU had been ousted from the Somali capital and parts of Southern Somalia

Prime Minister Zenawi said “divisions among Somali government left them unable to replace us”.

More the 800,000 people have fled from violence and confrontations in Mogadishu between government forces backed by the Ethiopian troops against Insurgents.

Ethiopian troops entered Somalia last year and ousted Islamic Courts Union who controlled Mogadishu and Southern parts of Somalia for six months.

Ethiopian forces were expected to withdraw when sufficient peace keepers could be deployed to support weak government.  With recent fighting and unpopularity of TF, many countries have not put troops on the ground.

The only other country to provide troops is Uganda; which have deployed 1,500 troops in Mogadishu out of the planned 8,000.  The Ugandan army main is involved is limited to keeping security International Airport and the main seaport.

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