Somali Military seized control of Karan, Behani and Sana
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:00 am
Somali Military seized control Karan, Behani and the notorious Sana
Somali government troops have made its
initial advance into the rebel-held areas in the north of Mogadishu in
a heavy fighting that left 37 more dead and injured 113, officials,
witnesses said.
Witnesses said government troops with the help of the African union
have crossed into the insurgency-racked district Karan. Soldiers
appear to have encountered lighter than expected resistance from the
Alshabaab who were reported to have entrenched in the nearby areas and
mined the roadways.
‘’ I have seen 18 dead Alshabaab fighters lying on one street and 5
government soldiers’’ Residents Fadumo Osman told Somalilandpress by
phone from Karan.
Soldiers seized Karan, Behani and the notorious Sana, where Alshabaab
have conducted public executions, including beheadings, and have
dumped the bodies of those who opposed their rule.
The state Minster for the defense Yusuf Mohamed Siad said his troops
have powerfully kicked the politically fractured militants.
‘’ Our troops have made tangible developments in the latest fighting’’
Indha Adde said.
The military also launched an operation in Jardinka intersection and
reportedly killed five millitant fighters.
As the military moves into the north after almost hours of heavy
fighting, the militants may have decided to conduct a tactical
withdrawal of its forces, estimated at between 5,000 to 7,000
fighters.
Hospital and ambulance sources said at least 37 people and injured 113
more, although the death toll may rise for the heavy shelling going
on.
Residents have been queuing at streets and in markets as troops and
military hardware stream towards the north.
Belligerent factions in Mogadishu have been locked in a tense
stand-off for weeks, amid expectations of an imminent offensive by the
government and its African Union backers to wrest Somalia back from
the insurgency.
Somali government troops have made its
initial advance into the rebel-held areas in the north of Mogadishu in
a heavy fighting that left 37 more dead and injured 113, officials,
witnesses said.
Witnesses said government troops with the help of the African union
have crossed into the insurgency-racked district Karan. Soldiers
appear to have encountered lighter than expected resistance from the
Alshabaab who were reported to have entrenched in the nearby areas and
mined the roadways.
‘’ I have seen 18 dead Alshabaab fighters lying on one street and 5
government soldiers’’ Residents Fadumo Osman told Somalilandpress by
phone from Karan.
Soldiers seized Karan, Behani and the notorious Sana, where Alshabaab
have conducted public executions, including beheadings, and have
dumped the bodies of those who opposed their rule.
The state Minster for the defense Yusuf Mohamed Siad said his troops
have powerfully kicked the politically fractured militants.
‘’ Our troops have made tangible developments in the latest fighting’’
Indha Adde said.
The military also launched an operation in Jardinka intersection and
reportedly killed five millitant fighters.
As the military moves into the north after almost hours of heavy
fighting, the militants may have decided to conduct a tactical
withdrawal of its forces, estimated at between 5,000 to 7,000
fighters.
Hospital and ambulance sources said at least 37 people and injured 113
more, although the death toll may rise for the heavy shelling going
on.
Residents have been queuing at streets and in markets as troops and
military hardware stream towards the north.
Belligerent factions in Mogadishu have been locked in a tense
stand-off for weeks, amid expectations of an imminent offensive by the
government and its African Union backers to wrest Somalia back from
the insurgency.
