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Helicopter, hospital hit in Somali attack
Insurgents shot down a helicopter gunship in Somalia's capital on Friday and mortar shells slammed into a hospital as government and allied troops battled hundreds of gunmen in the streets of Mogadishu.More than 30 people have been killed since the government launched a major offensive on Thursday to quash a growing insurgency by Islamic militants, according to hospitals and witnesses. Somali soldiers and troops from neighbouring Ethiopia, who are here to protect the fragile government, were under severe attack for a second day. "The helicopter looked like a ball of smoke and fire before crashing," said Ruqiya Shafi Muhyadin, who watched as the helicopter rolled over in the sky and went down in a residential area near the airport. An Associated Press reporter said an anti-aircraft missile hit the helicopter. Dr. Mohamed Dhere, who spoke to The Associated Press by telephone from an underground room, said three mortar shells hit Alhayat hospital, injuring a doctor and a staff member. "Since early this morning I have been hiding here from the mortar shells so I can't help rescue people. I urge the two sides to respect health facilities," Dhere said. The number of casualties was not immediately clear. On Thursday, fighting killed at least 10 people - but it was likely that many more had died. Hospitals were overwhelmed with the wounded and corpses were scattered in the streets. Doctors trying to tally the numbers said up to 30 people may have died. Mogadishu resident Abdi Hussein Aboke said he saw 10 bodies in the street on Friday, all apparently civilians. "Some were lying in alleys between houses while others were lying on the streets," he said. Posted by: Fred 2007-03-31 |
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