At least 15 people have been killed and dozens wounded in clashes in volatile southern Somalia, deepening a political crisis in a country trying to form a new government.
| Just when things were going so well, too... |
Rival militias have for weeks been preparing to fight for Somalia's main southern trading centre, Kismayo port.
| "Ismail! They're muttering! They're casting sidelong glances!" |
The latest fighting broke out this week at Bulo Haji, about 100 kms south of the port and in the nearby Hosingo districts of lower Jubba region of south Somalia. The clashes flared after militia from the Juba Valley Alliance (JVA), which controls Kismayo and surrounding areas, attacked the bases of a rival militia leader - Captain General Morgan, his spokesman told local media.
| "Yar! The scum attacked us, they did!" |
Hundreds of militiamen and several vehicles mounted with twelve-pounders machineguns deployed by warlord Muhammad Said Hersi, known as General Morgan, have based themselves at Bulo Haji. The unnamed spokesman said General Morgan's militia lost more than six fighters while nine others were wounded, and that his group had killed a large number of the JVA militia, and arrested 14 of them, including the leader of the attack.
| "Yar! We keelhauled a large number of 'em and tossed 14 of 'em in the brig!" |
The spokesman added that his forces sank torched two armed battle wagons and seized another one at Bulo Haji town.
"She's struck, by Gar! Tell off a prize crew, Mr. Muslim!"
"Aye aye, Cap'n! I mean, Gen'ral!" |
Media reports said General Morgan had been wounded during a battle at Abdalla Birole village, some 45km outside of Kismayo town, but there was no confirmation of the claim.
| "Arrr! I war wearin' me red shirt, in case I got wounded! An' me brown pants, in case things went south!" |
Nine people, about half of them JVA fighters and the rest civilians, were killed in this clash, the independent Kismayo FM radio reported. |