5 civilians die in battle in Somali capital; 10 children hurt when mortar hits school
By APMonday, July 19, 2010
5 Somalis killed in Mogadishu battle
MOGADISHU, Somalia — An emergency official in Somalia’s capital says at least five people have died during a battle between Islamist militants and government forces backed by African Union peacekeepers.
Ali Muse, the head of Mogadishu’s ambulance service, said Monday that the dead bodies of four men and one woman were found in their homes in the capital, Mogadishu.
Muse said 23 civilians were also injured in Sunday’s five-hour fight. Quranic teacher Moalin Ali Mohamud says among the injured were 10 children hurt when a mortar slammed into their school.
Al-Shabab spokesman Abdulaziz Abu Musab said his group launched the attacks and captured new territory. But government commanders said they repelled the attacks.
