Mogadishu Residents Flee

Somalians escape violence between government troops and Islamist rebels
By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 12, 2007 11:30 AM CST
Mogadishu Residents Flee
An injured Somali is taken to the hospital by residents as he lies on the cart in Mogadishu, Somalia, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, after heavy fighting between Ethiopian troops and insurgents which has been taking place over the last few days. At least 80 Somalis have been killed in heavy fighting in Mogadishu...   (Associated Press)

Civilian exodus from Mogadishu continued today as government forces and Ethiopian allies fought Islamist rebels in the Somalian capital, sparking a humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands of residents have fled the city in the past week as troops try to root out insurgents and their weapons stockpiles. "We had to run," a mother of eight told Reuters.

The interim government has been battling rebels since it ousted a group of Islamists in January. In the most recent violence, which started over a week ago, 70 have died and at least 5,000 have been wounded. The government has asked business owners to open their shops for searches and has closed down local news organizations it accuses of backing the rebels. (More Somalia stories.)

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