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Africa Horn
Clashes in Somali capital kill 135 civilians
2006-05-12
(SomaliNet) The death toll in the latest flare up of heavy clashes in the Somali capital of Mogadishu rose, with the latest causality figure tells that more than 25 civilians have been killed in indiscriminate mortar fire in the northern part of Mogadishu on Thursday. Hundreds of people were killed and wounded as shells crashed into their homes in Huriwa and Yaqshid districts of north Mogadishu,
"Hundreds" would imply that 135 deaders is a low number. "135" would imply that there weren't hundreds killed, but maybe "lots."
where the rival militias clashed exchanging gunfire, mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and anti-aircraft fire.
They use the AA as artillery. Nice, big rounds, lotsa boom, not a lot of accuracy on a level trajectory.
You wouldn't want to be in the way, however ...
Health officials in Mogadishu hospitals said at least 28 people were killed as gunmen, manning checkpoints and racing through the streets in pickup trucks mounted with heavy guns, fought on through the night.
"[BANG!] Take that, warlord scum!"
"[BOOM!] Take that, Islamist offal!"
The toll in five days of heavy fighting mounts more than 135, with most of the dead are civilians and the latest fatalities included a pregnant woman and three children whose houses were hit by mortar fire. There seem no efforts of negotiations between the warring parts.
"Aaaar! Yer mudder wears combat boots!"
"A curse on yer moustache!"
The fighting intensified and spread into areas in the capital in fifth day after both sides ignore the ceasefire. Residents say neither side has gained the upper hand in heavy fighting that underlines the anarchy that has gripped Somalia since warlords ousted dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991 before turning against each other.
And a wonderful time was had by all, except for the dead guys and the maimed.
Posted by:Fred

#9  Yahoo news reported that the UN said that the Lions of Islam(tm), as opposed to the Warlords(tm), were winning a couple of days ago.
Posted by: anonymous5089   2006-05-12 12:39  

#8  Yes, I suppose if one roots in the stable dung-heap long enough, one eventually may find a pony.
Posted by: Fordesque   2006-05-12 10:49  

#7  1. Somalia is a failed state, where there has been significant AQ activity, and certainly coalition Spec Ops activity. Whats happening there is as an topic as anything.

2. While Africa has lots of problems, and few bright spots (and they have a nasty tendency not to stay bright - take Ivory Coast, for ex) there arent too many countries even there quite like Somalia

3. Even Somalia has some bright spots - they just dont want to stay part of Somalia. Look at Puntland and Somaliland.
Posted by: Liberalhawk   2006-05-12 10:31  

#6  Too bad Gordon Shughart had to die for these worthless pieces of kak. Somalia and Africa like the Titanic, are lost. No hope of salvage.
Posted by: Besoeker   2006-05-12 10:06  

#5  Would I be rude to point out that Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart probably accounted for more deaths than this just by themselves?

I'm just saying...
Posted by: Chuck Simmins   2006-05-12 10:03  

#4  How bout we declare a "Somalia free news zone" for at least one week? Even the word "Somalia" bores me to sh*t.
Posted by: mcsegeek1   2006-05-12 09:51  

#3  ....Yes, excuse me please, I am looking for a book entitled "Contemporary Africa, The Rule of Law in Civilized Society." I'm sorry sir that book has yet to be written.

Posted by: Besoeker   2006-05-12 08:01  

#2  They use the AA as artillery. Nice, big rounds, lotsa boom, not a lot of accuracy on a level trajectory.
?
Posted by: 6   2006-05-12 07:32  

#1  the latest causality figure

Causality and Somalia?... How long you got?
Posted by: Howard UK   2006-05-12 06:45  

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