Rebels attack president's home

2008-08-21 19:25

Mogadishu - Somali Islamists attacked the president's residence in Mogadishu on Thursday, sparking fierce exchanges with Ethiopian and government forces in which six civilians were killed, witnesses said.

Two mortar shells landed in the compound of President Abdullahi Yusuf, who is currently in Ethiopia.

Mortar shells also smashed into houses in the capital's heavily populated Bakara district, wounding 12 civilians.

"Four civilians were killed when a heavy artillery shell landed in front of a big mosque in Bakara market, while seven others were also injured," witness Hassan Adan Yarisow said.

Another witness, Feisal Ibarahim, said three shells hit houses in Bakara district wounding five civilians "minutes after insurgents attacked the presidential palace".

"I saw two dead civilians, one of them a mentally ill patient," he added.

Guerrilla tactics

Civilians have borne the heaviest brunt of battles between Islamist fighters and the Ethiopian forces who invaded the Horn of Africa nation in late 2006, to help the government oust the Islamist movement controlling much of southern Somalia.

At least 6 000 have died in the past year alone.

The insurgents have resorted to guerrilla tactics against Ethiopia and government forces as well as against AU peacekeepers in the war-ravaged capital since their movement was ousted early last year.

Separate clashes between Islamist fighters and a local clan militia killed 10 people and wounded 20 in the southern port town of Kismayo.

- SAPA