Mogadishu — AMISOM [African Union Mission in Somalia] said Villa Somalia came under attack by "enemies of peace and spoilers of the initiative to return sanity to Mogadishu" at about 18.00 hours local time on Monday, 6 October 2008 as the statement mentioned.

AMISOM in a press statement said both TFG [Transitional Federal Government of Somalia] and AMISOM troops were deployed at Villa Somalia to protect the presidency. Describing the actions and casualties in the shoot-out, AMISOM said, "[ellipsis as published]...In all this, there was no involvement on the part of (Ethiopian troops) and any insinuation to the contrary would be dishonest."

"Eight shells were fired at the residence," the statement said. "TFG soldiers sustained four casualties from the mortar attack. There was no casualty on AMISOM personnel stationed at the area. The TFG presidential guard brigade troops fired back at the attackers."

"It is deeply regrettable that TFG soldiers died in the attack and that some civilians could have been injured or even died in the counter mortar attack," it said.

"All this happened at a time when the spoilers and detractors of peace had been expelled from Barkhara Market and its environs in retaliation to their being expelled from the area," it noted.

"AMISOM and all the stakeholders will continue to support and encourage a peaceful resolution of the Somalia conflict, and condemn all acts of violence meted out against the population."