Monday, April 02, 2007
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Moagdishu, 2 April (AKI) - A carbomb exploded in central Mogadishu on Monday morning, close to an important hotel in the capital, where members of the transitional government often stay, local news reports say. There are believed to be victims but there are no details on how many. The attack may be the work of elements close to the Union of Islamic Court who have been involved in heavy fighting with government forces in the capital over the past week. Violence has increased since the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), backed by Ethiopian forces, dislodged the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) from Mogadishu and much of the rest of the country at the end of last year. Mortar rounds and other fire have since killed many civilians in residential areas and settlements housing 250,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).
More than 12,000 people have fled Somalia’s strife-torn capital, Mogadishu, in just the last week when escalated fighting left at least 24 people dead, bringing the total since the beginning of February to 57,000, the United Nations refugee agency said last week.
"They are hungry and face harassment from thugs, while the mothers worry about their children not being able to go to school," the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said in a news release. "Those who can afford it are looking for a house to rent, but most shelter under trees" it said.
Source: AKI, Apr 02, 2007