Somalis killed as Islamists clash

At least 40 people have died in clashes between Islamist groups vying to control key towns in central Somalia.

Fifty others were wounded as a self-styled moderate Islamist group, Ahlu Sunna Waljamaca, continued to battle militants from the hardline al-Shabab.

In the capital, Mogadishu, 10 people died as insurgents fired mortars at the bases of government troops.

Monday’s violence came as Somalia’s president quit, adding to the chaos as Ethiopian troops prepare to withdraw.

Ahlu Sunna Waljamaca, a relatively new Islamist group, has declared a holy war on al-Shabab, blaming it for the bloodshed in Somalia.

It seized two towns in central Somalia over the weekend, triggering fierce clashes.

Various Islamist and nationalist groups control most of southern Somalia. Government forces only control parts of the capital, Mogadishu, and the town of Baidoa.

Somalia’s president quit after a power struggle with the premier
The bloodletting continued as Somalia’s President Abdullahi Yusuf quit following a power struggle with the prime minister.

The pair had clashed in recent months over attempts to negotiate a peace deal with moderates in the Islamist-led armed opposition.

In 2006, President Yusuf made the unpopular decision to call in troops from neighbouring Ethiopia to prop up his fragile administration but the move has failed to quell the Islamist insurgency.

Ethiopian troops are due to pull out this week, raising fears of a power vacuum in a country that has not had an effective national government since 1991.

Fighting between the Ethiopia-backed government and the insurgents has left one million people homeless and much of Mogadishu deserted

Published by: Mo Guled

Related Stories

• March 5, 2010 -- Somali Troops To Engage Islamists (3)
• January 19, 2010 -- Somaliland: From A Danish Prespective. (10)
• January 17, 2010 -- Somalia Prepares For Assault On Al- Shabaab (1)
• May 16, 2009 -- Why Egypt Always Gets Her Way? (18)
• December 10, 2008 -- Shiikh Shariif Shiikh Axmed iyo Wafdi uu hoggaaminayo oo ka degay Garoonka Diyaaradaha Magaalada Muqdisho (0)

LATEST NEWS HEADLINES

• Who Do you Want to Dispense Justice – Committees or Courts of Law?
• Healthcare vote: Barack Obama passes US health reform by narrow margin
• Terminally ill Somali woman and her son deported from Norway
• Rageh Omaar: journalism with passion.
• Russian delegation arrives in Somaliland

ALSO IN THE NEWS

Eritrea On The Spot Again Over It’s Support Of Somali Militant Groups

The government of Eritrea has quickly reacted to sharp criticism and aiding the from the United Nations that it is assisting the Somali militant group of Al-Shabbab and other insurgent groups that has been opposed to the transitional federal government allied to former UIC commander and current President of Somalia Sheikh sharif sheikh Ahmed.
Late last [...]

TOP NEWS

Family Grieves For Son Linked To Terror Group

• Somali Students, cultural tension rising in St. Cloud
• Jordan’s Abdullah: Israel trying to rid Jerusalem of Arabs
• Singer Safi Du’ale Ali dies in Hargeisa
• SOMALILAND: Policeman Killed in Burao
• Militant goup signs peace agreement with Somali government
• Somaliland: Protecting Foreign Workers

HAVE YOUR SAY

Is Somaliland getting recognized?

SomTel Launched

Dahabshiil’s SomTel International launched

MORE NEWS HEADLINES

• An Open Letter to the Arab League
• SOMALILAND:Russian navy hands over alleged pirates to Somaliland.
• Yemen sends delegation to Somaliland to open diplomatic office
• Somaliland’s Recognition, Arab League, Somali Regime—Toothless Chihuahua
• SOMALILAND: Women’s rights activist, Fatima speaks to Somalilandpress
• SOMALILAND: New Video Song by Fuad Omar