Massacre in Mogadishu as 13 People are Killed

Al-Shabaab Fighters

At least 13 people mainly civilians have been killed and 20 others wounded in the latest unrest in Mogadishu on Tuesday, according to government officials and eye witnesses. Nine of those killed who were civilians died in the main Bakara market in the city center later on the day as government forces fired mortars toward the market in reaction to Al-shabaab militants who shelled artilleries from the market targeting government positions.

“I have counted the bodies of nine civilians who were cut into pieces” an eye witness Farah Abdi Hassan told Newstime Africa by telephone adding that more than ten others were wounded on Tuesday’s shelling in the Market which is a hotbed for Al-shabaab militants.

Spokesman for Somali police forces Colonel Abdullahi Hassan Barise who talked to reporters later on the day said that militants attacked government positions and were retreating back.

Meanwhile, four people including a Somali government soldier and three militants were killed in gunfire between Somali military and militants who were dressed in military uniform on Tuesday.

“One of our soldiers died in the fighting and we have killed three terrorists whose bodies are still laying on the ground and we are inviting journalists to see them” the deputy commander of Somali government Darwiish forces Major Afrah Ali Afrah told reporters.

In other developments, five civilians have been wounded in riots between residents and Hezbal Islam militias in the Elasha biyaha neighborhood about 20 kilometres south of the capital Mogadishu.

“Militants put down the Somali flag which was raised on the Inbu Khuzeyma School and they replaced with their black flag and that angered residents in the area who started to throw stones at the Hezbal Islam militias who then deliberately fired on the mobs” Omar Hajji a resident in Elasha biuyaha told Newstime Africa.

“Now the situation in the area is very tense, people are burning tires and throwing stones at militants and we will continue this until they have to release the school principle and 20 students whom they arrested today” the angry resident Omar Hajji said.

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