Hiiraan Online
Friday, July 03, 2009
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MOGADISHU (HOL) - Civilians have started to flee their homes in Mogadishu, particularly in the districts of Shibis, Abdulasis and Boondheere. This is the largest number of civilians fleeing their homes since the civil war started in 1991.The majority of the people fleeing are women, children and the elderly as a result of heavy fighting between government forces and opposition groups. One can see scores of people leaving the contested areas on foot since there is no transportation in the area.
These districts are among the few areas in Mogadishu that did not face such fierce fighting even during the worst times of fighting between Islamists and Ethiopian troops between 2007 and 2009.
On the other hand, the death toll from the fighting between insurgents and government troops keeps growing. Up to 50 people are reported to have died and 150 wounded due to the fighting.