Gun battles between clan militiamen killed at least 17 people and wounded 30 on Saturday at a pirate stronghold on the coast of Somalia, witnesses said.Local man Farah Aden told Reuters by satellite telephone that the fighting began overnight and became heavier in the morning, forcing most residents to flee Haradheere. "The two clans are fighting over land and a girl who was raped in the forest. Unfortunately, the battles spread into town ... Fighting is going on fiercely," he said.
| " The two clans are fighting over land and a girl who was raped in the forest. Unfortunately, the battles spread into town ... Fighting is going on fiercely " |
One pirate in the lawless central Somali port said he was worried the bloodshed would hurt the sea gangs' profits. "We are afraid our business will stop if the clashes continue," the pirate, who gave his name as Mohammed, told Reuters by satellite phone from Haradheere. "We are all members of these two clans, and we are worried that this fight might end up being taken out onto the ocean."
| That could certainly prove amusing for the world's navy ships currently patrolling the area. |