Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Operation in Mogadishu's main Bakara market left at least twenty one civilians dead and scores more wounded, a Press TV correspondent reported Tuesday.
Police spokesman Abdulahi Shasha said government forces were searching the market in response to intelligence suggesting the area was used to coordinate attacks on troops.
The market is the biggest source of income for 80 percent of the city's impoverished population and supplies shipments to businesses in many regions in the country.
Traders accuse the government troops of stirring violence in the market.
“Shops were looted and thousands of dollars were stolen… this was the reason behind the attack,” said Mohamed Hassan Haad, Chief of the Hawiye clan.
Source: Press TV, Feb 20, 2008