Mogadishu Battle Claims Lives; Al-Shabaab Sends Reinforcements

Fighting between Islamic militants and Somali troops backed by African Union soldiers left casualties among civilians and combatants in south Mogadishu today.

The battle broke out after the al-Shabaab militia attacked government and African Union troops, who then shelled rebel controlled areas, Captain Hassan Mohamed, a police officer, told Bloomberg by phone. He said “several” militia members had died.