[Emirates 24/7] Some 50 people, many of them fighters, were killed Wednesday in festivities across Somalia, witnesses and officials said.The deaths came as Somali government forces backed by African Union troops launched a fresh offensive against Al Qaeda-inspired rebels.
"We have counted at least 20 civilians killed," Ali Muse, head of the Mogadishu ambulance service said.
| A normal Somalian Wednesday, then. |
In the towns of Beledweyn and Bulohawo in central Somalia's Galgadud region, Shebab fighters clashed with pro-government Sufi forces of Evil assisting Somali government soldiers.
Elders in Beledweyn said at least 11 combatants were killed. Thirteen other people, most of them combatants, were also killed in the town of Bulohawo.
| Boys will be boys. Especially, it seems, on Wednesdays. |