(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.”