Mogadishu, Somalia, Sep 5 2007 - A Somali government delegation led by Mogadishu Mayor Mohamed "Dheere" Omar Habeb departed from Adan Adde International Airport in the capital Wednesday as government troops combated insurgent fighters inside the country's largest market.

Mayor Dheere was accompanied on his trip to Yemen by Reconstruction Minister Mudey Ga'al and Ahmed Omar, the Somali ambassador to Yemen.

The mayor's deputy told reporters in Mogadishu later today that Dheere and his delegation received an "emergency invitation" from the Yemeni government.

Last Sunday, Mayor Dheere and two senior officials, including the national police commissioner, were requested to appear in front of parliament and answer questions on efforts to secure Mogadishu. [Full story]

Mogadishu residents witnessed some of the heaviest gun battles in recent weeks today when government forces raided a home near Bakara market, witnesses said.

At least 8 people were killed and more than 30 others wounded during the subsequent battle between the troops and suspected insurgents holed inside the home.

Police spokesman Abdiwahid Hussein claimed victory in today's raid, saying that police killed and captured many insurgents and confiscated weapons, including grenades and rocket launchers.

Witnesses said most of the dead in today's battle were civilians caught in the crossfire.

The Somali capital has seen little but insurgent violence since Ethiopian troops deployed in early January to install the interim government in Mogadishu.

The insurgents are opposed to the presence of foreign troops inside Somalia and have vowed to continue their guerrilla campaign until foreign forces withdraw from Somali soil.

Source: Garowe Online