Garowe Online (Garowe)
17 July 2008
Heavy fighting erupted early Thursday in Somalia's capital Mogadishu between Islamist-led insurgents against an alliance of Somali and Ethiopian government forces.
At least 16 people, including 7 civilians, were reported dead as street battles raged in north Mogadishu's Yaaqshiid and Huriwa districts.
The fighting began around 5:30am local time and lasted for nearly two hours, according to witnesses. Both sides used rockets, artillery and machineguns.
More than 25 people including many civilians were wounded during the battle.
Islamist spokesman Abdirahim Isse Addow claimed to have killed many soldiers during the attack and seized control of the security post from fleeing government forces.
He indicated that 3 rebels were killed and 4 others wounded.
But Col. Ali "Gamodule" Arale, a Somali army commander, rejected the Islamists' claim and showed reporters four dead bodies, identifying them as insurgents.
He claimed government security forces killed 21 insurgents and wounded 19 others.
There were no independent reports to confirm either claim.
Locals said Ethiopian troops expanded into the area and were now in control.
Somalia's capital has been ravaged by an Islamist-led insurgency since early 2007, when Ethiopian troops invaded Mogadishu to install the weak interim government.
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