SOMALIA: FOUR KILLED AS FIGHTING ERUPTS BETWEEN RIVAL SOMALIS BREAKOUT IN MOGADISHU

Record ID: 376101

  • Title: SOMALIA: FOUR KILLED AS FIGHTING ERUPTS BETWEEN RIVAL SOMALIS BREAKOUT IN MOGADISHU
  • Date: 3rd January 1995
  • Summary: MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (JANUARY 3, 1995) (REUTERS TELEVISION - ACCESS ALL) 1. SV VEHICLE WITH HEAVY MACHINE GUN MOUNTED ON BACK, DRIVEN BY CLAN FIGHTERS DOWN STREET 0.09 2. SV CLAN FIGHTERS ON JEEP WITH GUN (2 SHOTS) 0.19 3. SV CLAN FIGHTER CROUCHING ON GROUND WITH GUN 0.21 4. SV JEEP WITH HEAVY MACHINE GUN BEING DRIVEN UP STREET/ GUN FIRED 0.30 5. SV CLAN FIGHTERS FIRING MACHINE GUNS DOWN STREET (2 SHOTS) 0.39 6. SCU DYING MAN ON STREET (2 SHOTS) 0.48 7. SV UNITED NATIONS HELICOPTERS OVERHEAD 1.00 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 18th January 1995 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MOGADISHU, SOMALIA
  • City:
  • Country: Somalia
  • Reuters ID: LVA4VBFO0L7CAP7DG79YKOUJUC6
  • Story Text: Four people were killed and a dozen wounded on Friday (January 6) when fighting between Somali militias erupted in the capital Mogadishu, violating a ceasefire only a day after it came into force.

    Witnesses said Abgal and Murusade clan gunmen battled in the Bermuda district bordering Mogadishu's U.N.-held seaport in the worst fighting since the ceasefire took effect on Thursday morning.

    Both sides accused the other of shooting first. Witnesses said four people were killed and a dozen wounded in the clash.

    Mogadishu's seaport and the nearby airport are the most important prizes for rival militias expected to battle for supremacy after the last U.N. forces leave Somalia in March at the end of a failed peacekeeping mission.

    On Tuesday (January 3) heavily armed Somalia militias patrolled the streets of Mogadishu on foot or aboard vehicles fitted with anti-aircraft guns and recoiless cannons.

    Confused civilians ran for cover as the militias fired at will into side streets and buildings. The sound of gunfire echoed as U.N. helicopters hovered, monitoring the battles. An elderly civilian lay wounded and bleeding on the street.

    The ceasefire calling for an end to fighting from Thursday was signed in Mogadishu on Wednesday by Abgal and Murusade elders.

    But the strength of the pact was in doubt as neither self -declared president Ali Mahdi Mohamed, who heads the Abgal militia, nor Murusade militia chief Mohamed Kanyare Afrah, an ally of warlord Mohamed Farah Aideed, attended the signing.

    U.N. officials fear fighting will hamper the withdrawal of the remaining 9,000 U.N. troops, but say they do not expect the force to be deliberately attacked.


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