(SomaliNet) Details are emerging on today's deadly confrontation outside of the main presidential residence in the Somalia capital Mogadishu between government forces and militia loyal to former warlords – as Somalia president sent his condolences to the relatives of the victims. The death toll rises to nine mostly were militiamen loyal to Mohamed Qanyare Afrah, member of the transitional parliament, medical sources confirmed. Eight more others were wounded in the gun battle. The wounded include civilians, hit by astray bullets. | The shootouts erupted when the militiamen refused to keep away their battlewagons from the gate of the presidential palace where the Somali president and premier were having close doors meeting over stabilizing the capital with the former warlords. |
Dinari said president Yusuf expressed his sorrow over the death of the militiamen sending condolences to their relatives. The president described the event as an accident, which will have no impact on the government tasks.