|
Somalia-Ethiopia forces hunting suspects in Mogadishu
 (SomaliNet) The allied forces of Somalia and Ethiopia have come under attack by unidentified assailants overnight in northwest of the Somalia capital Mogadishu causing unverified casualties at the scene. It is part of insurgent attacks against the presence of the Ethiopian forces backing up the transitional government. Unknown militiamen ambushed a convoys of the combined forces passing on the main industry road of Yaqshid district in northwest of the capital. The attackers threw a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) at the convoys crushing one of them and then followed by heavy gunfire responded by the attacked forces. Unconfirmed reports say that four of the combined forces have been killed in the attack. This is the deadliest attack on the Ethiopian backed interim government troops since they won to oust the Islamic Courts late last year. Heavy explosions and gunshots could be heard in the capital killing number of civilians, according to the medical officers in the hospitals of Mogadishu. A large number of Somalia-Ethiopian forces with tanks have sealed off the road between Aymiska environ and SOS hospital area in northwest of the capital searching for weapons and suspects of the last nights attack. There are no cars in and out of the area as people were told to restrict movements. Several people were arrested for the attack and are now being questioned, local official said. The Somalia interim government officials gave no comments on the latest attack. Elsewhere, unidentified gunmen riding with pick up truck have attacked a police station in Huriwa district, north of the capital overnight killing one police officer and took three rifles from the station, local residents said. The attacks came as the Ethiopian and Somalia government began searching for weapons in specified locations in the capital seizing large quantity of arms including heavy and light guns, RPGs and explosive devices. Meanwhile, sources close to presidential palace in Mogadishu say that Somalia president Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed is due to depart for Baidoa city, the temporary seat of the transitional federal institutions. President Yusuf is expected to reach Baidoa tomorrow for lobbying against the parliament speaker Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden. Posted by: Fred 2007-01-16 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=177868 |