Fighting in Somali capital kills 30

Danielle Jones
9.24.08

This past Monday in Mogadishu, Somalia, two defensive sides started a conflict, that later killed a number of thirty civilians. Islamic insurgents in the capital began an attack on government forces and Ethiopian allies in the city. Most of the battle was centered in front of the Bakara Market, where the insurgents fired mortars, forcing the government to retaliate. Mogadishu government has said that these insurgents are trying to use Bakara Market as their primary base, because there are plenty of sites around the area, such as the main airport, and presidential palace. These Islamic insurgents are said to have ties with the well known Al-Qaida group, who have been fighting the Mogadishu government and Ethiopian allies for control. These Islamic insurgents are slowly gaining control over other Somalicountries such as Kismayo: which is Somalia’s third largest city. Though there have been peace efforts from the African Union, there seems to be no change. Many efforts to interfere are prevented because the conditions in the city are too dangerous, leaving most people restricted to the airports of Mogadishu. Somalia has not had a good, functioning government in over seventeen years.

Relief efforts in this country should have been looked into many years ago, when the problem first arose. It seems to me, that a chance for relief in this city is slim to none, because the situation is already so hostile. The Islamic insurgents seem to have a great amount of control, not just in Mogadishu, but in other parts of Somalia. Maybe the government should be looking into effort in preventing other cities from being taken under insurgent control. Unfortunately, there is obviously going to have to be more bloodshed in this city, and others, in order to stop the terrorism and destruction that is happening in this country.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26840931/