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Mogadishu, January 16, 2010 – A least 36 people have
been killed and over 50 others injured in the third day of heavy clashes
in central Somalia as Ahlu Sunnah attempts to take the Al-Shabaab
stronghold.
Pro-government Ahlu Sunnah forces and Al-Shabaab fighters fought for the
second day in the central villages of Wabho and Warhole, in the Galgadud
region, causing the death of at least 16 people while more than 30
others were injured, a Press TV correspondent reported on Tuesday.
According to witnesses, the clashes started late on Monday and continued
for the better part of Tuesday in both the villages, which are
strategically important for the armed groups battling for control of the
region.
The villages, which are under the control of Ahlu Sunnah, are near Elbur
town, where Al-Shabaab's largest military base is located.
Some reports suggest that Al-Shabaab has deployed thousands of its
fighters to defend the base from any incursion.
However, Sheikh Abdullahi Abdirahman Abu Yussuf, a spokesman for the
Ahlu Sunnah group, vowed that Ahlu Sunnah would not rest until they
capture Elbur.
""We will not rest until we make sure that the region, especially Elbur,
is free of Al-Shabaab. We are prepared to do everything,"" he added.
He also claimed that Ahlu Sunnah forces killed several Al-Shabaab
fighters.
""The fighting, which started early today (Tuesday) and stopped later in
the day was intense. Some of the dead bodies of Al-Shabaab fighters are
scattered all over the place,"" the Ahlu Sunnah spokesman said, adding
that the village, together with neighboring Warhole, is still under
their control.
Meanwhile, in the strategic central town of Beledweyne, which lies some
300 kilometers north of Mogadishu, heavy clashes between Hizbul Islam
fighters and pro-government forces have claimed more than 10 lives while
23 others have been injured.
According to Shuriye Farah Sabriye, Hizbul Islam's governor in the
region, the battles were the fiercest clashes that the town has seen.
Hundreds of families have evacuated Beledweyne due to the fighting.
The death toll from Monday's fighting is reportedly over 10. Some of the
victims were buried on Tuesday, before the resumption of the clashes.
Source: Press TV, Wednesday, January 13, 2010
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