(The Canadian Press) — MOGADISHU, Somalia — Mortar shells slammed into Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu on Wednesday as insurgents vowed to intensify attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Witnesses say at least two people died in the fighting as insurgents and government forces exchanged mortar and heavy machine-gun fire in a two-hour battle that forced terrified residents to cower in their homes.
Wednesday’s violence was the worst since Aug. 21, when four hours of fighting outside the presidential palace in Mogadishu killed 12 people and injured 17 others.
Rebels linked to Somalia’s Islamist movement have been fighting an Iraq-style insurgency since being driven from power in December 2006 in an Ethiopian-led and U.S.-backed invasion that installed the current administration.
Rebel spokesman Abdirahin Issa Adow says Islamic fighters have “decided to redouble attacks against the Ethiopians Woyannes and their stooges during the holy month of Ramadan,” which began this week.
He said the Ramadan attacks do not violate the Qur’an because his fighters are battling “enemies of Allah.”
During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to abstain during daylight hours from food, drink, smoking and sex and to focus on spiritual introspection.
“If we die while fasting for the sake of Allah, we will go to heaven,” a 26-year-old Islamic fighter, Abdi Yusuf, told The Associated Press by telephone. “So there is no reason why we shouldn’t intensify the fighting.”
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FORUM | 4 Comments
I hope the Ethiopian people go back to their normal business as soon as the hoodwinkling of meles, bereket, seyoum, and azeb is over. As Ethiopia is bleeding from South to North and from East to West the Ethiopian people are bombarded with meles’s development, democracy, and economic growth; but the truth of the matter to the contrary. How is that Ethiopia’s booming when nearly a million dollar is spent on armed forces just to protect the thugs of Adwa? Meles and stooges must be ousted for the sake of Ethiopia and the whole east African region.
[Reply]
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Around this time next year the ARS/UIC wille beome stronger then Meles army. I would say Meles has a price at his head both from Somali people and from people in ethiopia.
Trust me. Things looks bright for justice. Meles is feeling the heat big time. The war is going soon into next phase.
We only fear god. Bring it on Midget.
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September 3rd, 2008 at 1:14 PM
What a wonderful expression from salmiak,
es the time is ripe to put more wood on the fire to burn those who burned innocent Somalis and Ethiopians in the name of war on terror.
The should be made to drink the bitter drink of defeat and humiliation themselves in the hands of brave somalis, eritreans and ethiopians.
What a patriotic statement!!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:51 PM
What a wonderful expression from salmiak,
yes the time is ripe to put more wood on the fire to burn those who burned innocent Somalis and Ethiopians in the name of war on terror.
They should be made to drink the bitter drink of defeat and humiliation themselves in the hands of brave somalis, eritreans and ethiopians.
What a patriotic statement!!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:53 PM