Somalia News
"At Least 12 Killed in Mogadishu Fighting."
UN Intergrated Regional Information Networks
Source: www.allafrica.com
source: www.bbc.com
Fighting erupted in the Medina district of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The conflict began when militiamen loyal to Mogadishu faction leader Muse Sudi Yalahow attacked supporters of Umar Muhmud Muhammed Finish. Finish had been formally aligned with Yalahow but has now separated from Finish's group. The altercation erupted when Yalahow's forces attempted to regain the Jazira airstrip from Finish's forces.
Yalahow and Finish represent opposing side to the recently established Transitional
National Government (TNG). Yalahow is the leader of the United Somali Congress
and a member of the Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council (SRRC),
which is a group that is opposed to the Transitional National Government.
Umar Muhmud Muhammed Finish is an ally to the TNG.
Although a new governmental organization has been constructed in Somalia it
is far from stable. Altercations, such as the one that occurred today, happen
or a relatively frequent basis and represent the continuing struggle for the
new government. The TNG faces a long and dangerous road ahead since much of
the country is still divided and lacks a sense of nationality. The majority
of the country is divided among individual clans, which does not allow the
TNG to attain control within the country.