Thousands displaced as Mogadishu clashes continue

Thousands of people have fled the northern and northeastern suburbs of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, since clashes between militia groups started over the weekend, a top city official said.

An estimated 1,500 families had been displaced by the continuing clashes, Mogadishu Mayor, Ibrahim Omar Shaaweye, told IRIN on Tuesday.

Some 25 people had been killed and 150 wounded, he added.

"There was a flood of people pouring out of the Dayniile and Gubta areas [in north and northeastern Mogadishu and the epicenter of the fighting] this morning [Tuesday], looking for safety," the mayor said.

"Almost all the dead and wounded were civilians," said a hospital worker.

"Many of them, women and children," he added. "The casualty figures are expected to go higher once the fighting stops, yet we still have no figures of the dead for the fighting groups."

The conflict, which started on Saturday, pits armed militias who are reportedly loyal to a new alliance of faction leaders against those of the Islamic courts.

The newly created coalition - the Alliance for Peace and Fight Against International Terrorism - comprises several Mogadishu-based faction leaders. Its members include, among others, Muhammad Qanyare Afrah, Muse Sudi Yalahow, Omar Finnish, Bashir Raghe and Abdirashid Shire Ilqeyte.

Shaaweye told IRIN by telephone that the fighting on Tuesday was "less intense" than the previous day, but "shells were landing in a number of places".

A few businesses had reopened, and there were some buses on the road. Schools had not reopened due to the uncertainty of the situation, he said.

He added elders and civil society groups were speaking with both sides and trying to reach a ceasefire. "I am hopeful that within the next few hours we will have a permanent truce," the Mayor said.

However, Hassan Ade, a local resident, said city dwellers were bracing themselves for a continuation of the fighting. "Both sides are reportedly receiving reinforcements and have been buying ammunition in the market, so everyone expects the fighting to intensify."

The violence erupted when armed militias reportedly loyal to Mogadishu militia leader, Abdi Nure Siyad, also known as "Abdi Wal", attacked those loyal to Islamic courts located in a former military academy south of city. Siyad denied starting the violence.

Witnesses said militiamen had used rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machineguns, small caliber guns and mortar shells.