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15 Somalis Killed in Fighting |
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At least 15 militiamen have been killed in fighting between opposing
factions from a clan in central Somalia.
Tanks, rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles were deployed in a
battle for battle for control of grazing land and water for livestock.
The clash between members of the Sa'ad and Suleman factions of the
Habar Gidir clan broke out on Wednesday afternoon over control of
several small towns in the arid Mudug and Galgudud regions of Somalia,
according to a militia commander and an aid worker who were present
during the fighting.
The two sides have fought several times for control of the region. It
was not immediately clear what sparked the latest conflict. Each side
has accused the other of attacking positions occupied by its fighters.
Residents say the militia have been building up to conflict for several
weeks.
The militia commander and aid worker said at least 15 combatants were
killed. At least another 35 people were wounded, the commander said on
the condition of anonymity.
Somalia has had no effective central government since opposition
leaders ousted Mohamed Siad Barre, the former dictator, in 1991. They
then turned on each other and seven million strong country now
comprises an anarchic patchwork of battling fiefdoms ruled by heavily
armed militias. |
