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Mogadishu rests on fragile ceasefire
(SomaliNet) Mogadishu, Somalia capital has resumed on Saturday calm after three days of heavy gun battles between transitional government forces and clan based insurgents who oppose the leadership of president Yusuf. Some of the key streets in the capital which had been blocked during the war reopened as businesses restarted normally. The tranquility follows a ceasefire deal signed by top Ethiopian military officials and traditional elders of Hawiye tribe in the capital after intensive meetings. Despite the situation remains calm, rival sides of interim government troops and local insurgents are still face off and the fear is high of possible war again. Thousands of families fled the capital due the three-day bloody battles which engulfed the lives of 30 people and wounded more than 200 others. Ten of the government soldiers two of whom dragged through Mogadishu streets have been killed while dozens more were wounded in the heaviest and bloodiest clashes ever in the capital since their arrival late December 2006 after the ouster of the Islamic Courts Union. The courts ruled much of southern and central Somalia for six months returned peace and security. On Friday at least six people have been killed and dozens more were injured in fresh clashes around former Said academy in south of the capital between the government forces and its rival. Posted by: Fred 2007-03-25 |
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