Mogadishu (Agenzia Fides) - Fighting continues in the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu, where Shabab insurgents are in conflict with army soldiers loyal to the Transitional Federal Government backed by troops of AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia). This at the expense of civilians caught in cross-fire and shelling from all sides, including Amisom troops.
In the first three weeks of July, the capital's largest hospital, Madina Hospital admitted 160 civilians injured by shellfire, and according to the UN High Commission for Refugees, in the same period as many as 11,500 people fled the capital.
The decision taken by the AU to send another 4,000 men to reinforce Amisom, could intensify the fighting in the capital and aggravate the situation of civilians.
Amisom has been criticised by official UN sources and other international bodies for indiscriminate shelling on civilians. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, in his most recent report to the UN Security Council on the situation in Somalia, said “civilians are hit by crossfire, shelling and artillery gunfire between insurgents and government forces ”, expressing deep concern for “shelling of civilian areas and indiscriminate counter shooting on the part of regular army and Amisom troops".
Somalia is in danger of becoming once again a land of conflict not only between local factions, but also between foreign actors. Western sources say Shabab insurgents are backed by extremist Islamic militants from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Shabab with its local allies has intensified attacks in areas which escape its control, such as the semiautonomous region of Puntland (strategic for controlling piracy and legal and illegal trafficking transiting through the port of Bosaso) and set up a radio to broadcast its propaganda throughout Somalia. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 28/7/2010)