Pandemonium in Mogadishu as Residents are Told to Vacate the City

Somali Government troops - on the offensive

The mayor of the Somali capital Mogadishu has issued a warning to resident’s to vacate the city amidst fierce battles between government forces and insurgents. According to reports coming out of the country, more than 50 people have been killed in three days of Islamist insurgent attacks. The Mayor, Abdurisaq Mohamed Nor said the long-anticipated government offensive may start soon, so residents should withdraw into an area of at least 2km. About half of the city’s residents have already fled the city after two decades of conflict.

It seems this is the heaviest fighting since May 2009, when insurgents tried to topple the weak UN-backed government. But there are reports that most residents are still in the city and have failed to  responded to the mayor’s call.  ”We urge the civilians to flee from the battle zones and go at least 2km away to avoid being hit,” the Mayor said.

Government forces are reported to be shelling insurgent front lines, to stop them advancing towards the few areas under control of government forces, who are backed by African Union peacekeepers. About 200 insurgents on board 12 vehicles mounted with machine guns were seen moving  towards the presidential palace. Government soldiers and AU peacekeepers bombed them with heavy artillery and forced them to retreat.

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