30 killed in battle for Mogadishu
Al-Shabab fighters in Mogadishu (file photo)
At least thirty people have been killed in heavy clashes between Somali government troops backed by African Union forces and al-Shabab fighters in the war-ravaged capital Mogadishu, Press TV reported.
An intense battle broke out in the Dharkenley district of southern Mogadishu on Thursday after al-Shabab fighters launched an attack against a Somali military base in the area.
Eleven transitional government troops and fifteen al-Shabab fighters were killed during the skirmishes.
In addition, three children and their mother lost lives as the two sides exchanged heavy gunfire and barrages of mortar shells were fired.
Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991 when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
The Somali government has struggled for years to restore security, but efforts have not yet yielded results in the nation.
MP/JR/MGH
