Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
Abdinasir Mohamed Guled
5 July 2008
Heavy fighting has broken out in lower Shabelle region following armed Alshabab fighters have advanced to Walaweyn town controlled by Somali troops in the similar region south of Somalia saturday night residents said.
Shooting and mortar fire started and quickly spread to other parts of the locality when the TFG soldiers have begin to prevent the islamists from advancing to the town.
Eyewitnesses told Shabelle that two government troop's army vehicles where seized by the islamists
Alshabab spokesman has claimed that they have killed 6 government soldiers on the spot.
"The gunmen arrived in five vehicles and begin attacking the base, shouting "God is great", an eyewitness said.
It's unknown the causalities of islamists fighters attacked the government soldiers.
No further details on the incident are available.
The Islamists strongly oppose the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia who are backing the country's interim government.
Somalia enjoyed a six-month lull in the insecurity that had dogged the country for the past 16 years when the UIC took power last year.
But insecurity has returned to the city and the UN estimates some 40,000 people have fled from Mogadishu since February.
The fighting was the latest setback in a country that has been plagued by civil war, drought, spiraling inflation and massive displacement -- often at the same time. Aid organizations have said that Somalia is as dangerous as ever and that the elements are lining up again for a widespread famine.
Aimed at ending years of conflict, last month's deal provides for Ethiopian troops to leave Somalia within 120 days.
It was signed by another top Islamist leader, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and Prime Minister Nur Adde while others in his groups opposed the accord.
Somalia has experienced almost constant civil conflict since the collapse of Mohamed Siad Barre's regime in January 1991.
The Mogadishu-based Elman Peace and Human Rights Organisation said in the last week that more than 8,000 civilians had died in the conflict since early last year.
The government says that figure is exaggerated.
The UN has warned that nearly half of Somalia's population is likely to require aid later this year.
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