Heavy Fighting Kills at Least 4 in Somalia
2009-11-25 9:35
Al Shabaab controls much of southern Somalia and parts of the capital Mogadishu.
The militant group has its own strict version of sharia, Muslim law, and is trying to impose it throughout Somalia.
At least four people were reportedly killed and several were injured in an early morning attack.
[Colonel Aden Kalmoy, Somalia Military Spokesman]:
"Our base was attacked in the morning by Al Shabaab militia. We resisted and drove them out of town. Our forces are now back on base. Those fighting against the Transitional Federal Government are enemies of peace and they have no idea why they are fighting."
Western security agencies say Somalia has become a haven for militants, including foreign jihadists, who are using it to plot attacks across the region and beyond.
The African Union's AMISOM has won some favor by giving local residents access to clean water and free medical treatment.
But so far the peacekeeping group has been unable to do much more than secure the city's airport, sea port, presidential palace and a few roads in between.
When fighting breaks out in Mogadishu, civilian casualties are almost inevitable.
[Colonel Aden Kalmoy, Somalia Military Spokesman]:
"We are very sorry for civilian casualties and all that is happening here in Mogadishu. We have a responsibility towards our Somali people who live in Mogadishu."
Several African nations had committed to send troops to reinforce AMISOM but have so far failed to do so.
Some of them say in private that they are put off by the incessant violence in the region.
