Somali civilians flee Mogadishu as violence intensifies

By Ted Townsend
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia –  Renewed fighting in the Somali capital city of Mogadishu has left at least eleven civilians dead, with at least forty others wounded.  The fighting was sparked by Islamic militants, who launched a “massive assault” on African Union peacekeepers Wednesday.   Witnesses described the fighting as the heaviest fighting ever between the militants, most from the Al-Shabaab Islamic militia, and the peacekeepers, saying that it “shook the ground beneath our feet.”

The fighting started when Al-Shaabab fighters attacked K4 square, where a great number of Ugandan peacekeepers are stationed.  Though the Ugandan peacekeepers reported no casualties, the civilian population sustained many.   

According to reports, artillery struck near a location where civilians were being sheltered, killing at least four, including a young woman.  Further, a mother and her young children died instantly when a mortar hit their house, as did two neighbors who attempted to assist them by rushing into the house. 

As a result, civilians are fleeing the city in droves, “using every transport available, including donkey carts.”    Many are “so scared to venture out of the camp because AU forces are taking positions all over the area, but . . . have to leave."  One fleeing resident was seen with her three eldest children walking next to her, while another child was on her back, carrying bedding.  When asked, she admitted she did not know where she was going, but just needed to get “somewhere safer.”

Ali Sheik Yasin, of the Elman Human Rights Group acknowledged the need to defend themselves, but recognized the civilian consequences may be dire, stating: "AU peacekeepers say they are defending (themselves), but you can imagine the consequence of them defending themselves with heavy weaponry in populated areas."

For more information, please see:

The Canadian Press – 11 Civilians killed, 40 wounded in renewed fighting in Somali capital – 24 September 2008

CNN– ‘Ground shook as Somali militants attack peacekeepers’ – 24 September 2008

New Vision Online (Uganda)– Somali militants attack UPDF peacekeepers – 22 September 2008