MOGADISHU: At least 16 people were killed in fighting between rival factions in Mogadishu as chaos engulfed the Somali capital and spurred the war-torn country’s neighbours into action, officials said Tuesday.
Most of the latest victims were combatants killed in several incidents on Monday, as Islamist insurgents continued to close in on the shriveling perimetre controlled by the government but also fought among themselves.
“Violent elements attacked government forces in northern Mogadishu, sparking heavy fighting. They were defeated and several of their fighters were killed,” government security officer Mohamed Abdirahman told AFP.
“Two of our soldiers were also killed as well as three civilians who were caught in the crossfire,” he added.
Insurgents have been harassing government forces in northeastern districts lately to seize positions from which they can target bases of the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and disrupt their supplies by striking the seaport.
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