Monday, October 10, 2011
The fighting continued in Mogadishu's northern district of Huriwa on Monday after government forces, backed by African Union troops, attacked al-Shabab fighters with mortar shells and artillery fire.
The clashes come after the fighters carried out their deadliest single attack when a bomber last week detonated an explosives-laden truck at a government compound, killing dozens of people.
"We are carrying out operations around the former Arafat Hospital and the Pasta Factory on the Industrial Road," said African Union Somalia Force Commander Major General Fred Mugisha.
"A small number of al-Shabab remains a lethal threat in the North of the Mogadishu," he added.
However, tension is still high in the area as residents flee the area for safety.
Somalia has not had a stable government since 1991, and militant groups, which control much of the country's south and central regions, are waging war against the government.