By DPA,
Nairobi/Mogadishu: At least 25 people were killed and about 60 wounded over the weekend in the worst fighting in Somalia’s capital since the start of the year, according to media reports.
Independent radio broadcaster Radio Garowe Sunday reported clashes between radical Islamist groups and Islamist militias that support the government. Apartment buildings were hit by bullets and grenades amidst the fighting.
Fighters for the Islamic Courts Union, who support the moderate regime of President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, occupied a police post that had been taken by Hizbul Islam, leading to hours of fighting.
Hizbul Islam and al-Shabaab, another opposition group, view Sheikh Ahmed as too close to the West and continue to violently resist his administration, even though he has imposed Islamic law, or sharia, in Somalia and sought a dialogue with his opponents.
About 16,000 people have been injured in the conflicts between the warring parties in the last two years. Somalia has lacked a functioning government since 1991.