Thousands Fleeing Somali Capital of Mogadishu

Thousands of people are fleeing the Somali capital Mogadishu as government forces and insurgent fighters gear up for renewed fighting, Radio Garowe reports.

More than 20,000 residents have fled their homes in Wardhigley and Dharkinley districts in Mogadishu, where government forces have poured into in recent days. "I had recently returned to Mogadishu and was hoping to live in peace," said resident Sahro Omar, adding that she was forced to flee again for fear of new fighting.

Col. Farhan Mahdi, a government military commander, told reporters Wednesday that government troops have been deployed in Dharkinley to "restore security and to prevent opposition groups from launching attacks." More than 120 people have been killed in armed clashes in Mogadishu this month as fighting raged between government forces and Islamist rebels, led by Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam factions. On Tuesday, the U.N. reported that upwards of 67,000 people fled the Somali capital since the first week of May when heavy fighting erupted between government forces and insurgents.

Source:Ecoterra, May 30, 2009

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