First Published 2009-10-02, Last Updated 2009-10-02 13:03:41
Another 285 injured in Kismayo, Beled Weyne and Mogadishu
UN: 145 dead in Somalia unrest in September
UNHCR official says civilians are bearing brunt in latest uspsurge in fighting between Islamists, government forces.
GENEVA - Fighting between rival Islamist factions and government forces left 145 people dead and 285 injured in Somalia last month, the United Nations refugee agency said Friday.
"According to a network of our local partners, 145 people have been killed and another 285 injured in heavy clashes in Kismayo, Beled Weyne and Mogadishu in September alone," said Andrej Mahecic, spokesman for the UN Hight Commissioner for Refugees.
"The civilian population is bearing the brunt in the latest uspsurge in fighting," he said, adding that 17,000 people had fled the three cities, including 11,000 who left the capital, Mogadishu.
On Thursday fighting erupted between rival Islamist groups in the southern port city of Kismayo. The Al Qaeda-inspired Shebab group has taken up arms against former allies the Hezb al-Islam in a battle for control of the city. |
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