Thousands of Somalis have fled their homes in the capital, Mogadishu, following some of the heaviest fighting there for several years. About 60 people are feared dead after three days of worsening clashes between rival militia in the north of the city. The capital had been enjoying relative calm until a minor incident at a hotel earlier in May degenerated into what one resident described as civil war.
| "I said I wanted a KING bed in a NON-smoking room!" |
The dispute has sucked in forces loyal to powerful warlords. Militia armed with automatic rifles, mortars and anti-aircraft guns exchanged intense fire throughout Saturday. Hospital officials said 38 people had been killed and many more injured over the past 24 hours alone. Some of them were civilians caught in the crossfire as the militiamen competed for control of an airstrip and a road connecting the city to two harbours.
| The article goes on to note that Mogadishu has been 'prone to instability.' You could say that. |
|