Somalia battles for 7th day

MOGADISHU – Shelling and artillery fire shook northern Mogadishu yesterday, the seventh day of fighting between allied Somali-Ethiopian forces and Islamist gunmen that has killed hundreds of people.

The interim government has said the offensive will continue until it wipes out an insurgency frustrating its attempt to restore central rule to the Horn of Africa country for the first time in 16 years. Terrified residents said neither side appeared to be gaining ground in a battle focused on about one square-km of land, an Islamist stronghold of bomb-shattered buildings.”Most of the houses next to me have been shelled.I am lucky my house is still standing,” said Omar Hussein whose shop lies close to the scene of the clashes.”I sometimes open my shop when the shelling subsides, but really it is only for a few hours a day.”The most sustained week of fighting in Mogadishu since the Somali-Ethiopian force defeated rival Islamists in a brief war over the New Year has killed 293 people, according to a local committee set up to assess the damage.A report by a Somali human rights group on Monday put the death toll at 267.Nearly half a million people have fled the seaside capital by foot, donkey and vehicle.Thousands are sleeping under trees or in the open in nearby towns and villages.The United Nations has warned of a looming catastrophe with disease rife among the hungry, exhausted population.Washington, which diplomats say has given tacit backing to Ethiopia’s involvement in Somalia, urged all sides on Monday to reach a ceasefire.Nampa-ReutersTerrified residents said neither side appeared to be gaining ground in a battle focused on about one square-km of land, an Islamist stronghold of bomb-shattered buildings.”Most of the houses next to me have been shelled.I am lucky my house is still standing,” said Omar Hussein whose shop lies close to the scene of the clashes.”I sometimes open my shop when the shelling subsides, but really it is only for a few hours a day.”The most sustained week of fighting in Mogadishu since the Somali-Ethiopian force defeated rival Islamists in a brief war over the New Year has killed 293 people, according to a local committee set up to assess the damage.A report by a Somali human rights group on Monday put the death toll at 267.Nearly half a million people have fled the seaside capital by foot, donkey and vehicle.Thousands are sleeping under trees or in the open in nearby towns and villages.The United Nations has warned of a looming catastrophe with disease rife among the hungry, exhausted population.Washington, which diplomats say has given tacit backing to Ethiopia’s involvement in Somalia, urged all sides on Monday to reach a ceasefire.Nampa-Reuters