Sunday, October 02, 2011
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Over 60 civilians have been killed in heavy clashes between Somali government troops and al-Shabab fighters in southern Somalia, Press TVreports.
The fighting broke out in Dhoobley Town near the border with Kenya early on Sunday.
Somali military forces and witnesses told Press TV that both sides are still exchanging artillery and mortar fire in the area.
Somali officials confirmed that government troops targeted residential areas in Dhoobley, leaving at least 60 civilians dead and more than 100 women and children wounded.
Witnesses said many residents fled from the town after the battle began.
Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
Over the past two decades, up to one million people have lost their lives in fighting between rival factions and due to famine and disease.