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Somalia: At least five killed in clashes north of capital

[ADN Kronos] (AKI) - Heavy fighting between Somalian government troops and Islamist fighters have killed five people and injured at least 10 others north of the capital Mogadishu, witnesses were quoted as telling Radio Shabelle on Friday.

Gunfights broke out in the Yaqshid, Bondere and Shibis districts north of Mogadishu, according to local residents.

Also on Friday, the deputy governor of Somalia's southern Gedo region, Mohamed Abdi Kalil, told Radio Shabelle that forces from the interim government were ready to attack Islamist fighters in southern Somalia in a bid to regain several provinces from Islamist control.

"We welcome any troops or anyone against those who are against the transitional government," said Kalil.

Government troops trained in the Somali region under the control of Ethiopian and Somali officers have reportedly reached El-berde village in Gedio.

In recent days, the transitional government has signalled it is planning a major military offensive to expel Islamist fighters in Mogadishu.

Thousands of people living on the city's outskirts reportedly fled their homes on Thursday ahead of the imminent offensive.

More 30 people were killed and 80 others were wounded in heavy mortar shelling in Mogadishu late Wednesday, causing the capital's few remaining residents to flee their homes.

Meanwhile, hundreds of militia men from the Al-Qaeda aligned Al-Shab group and its Islamic Party ally are reported to have been heading via truck towards the capital from southern Somalia, including the port city of Chisimaio.

"We are ready to send other fighters to thwart fresh attacks by government and foreign forces," Islamist militia leader in Chisimaio, Sheikh Hasan Yaqub was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Fighting has continued in Somalia between warring Islamist rebels, since the country's new president Sharif Sheik Ahmed took office on 31 January last year.

Al-Shabab and its Islamic Party ally regularly strike government forces and installations and African Union peacekeeper bases.
Posted by: Fred 2010-02-13
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=290387