950827

Rival factions fight in Mogadishu streets

MOGADISHU: Rival Somali militias fought with heavy artillery and small arms along the "green line" separating their territory in Mogadishu on Saturday, witnesses said.

It was not immediately clear what sparked the fighting between supporters of warlord Mohamed Farah Aideed and his rival, Ali Mahdi Mohamed. But tension has mounted between the two groups, who control separate areas of the capital, since Aideed's recent claim to have formed a new government for Somalia.

Pro-Aideed sources told reporters that Aideed's militia commander in the area, Colonel Abdullahi Arten Nabadid, and another of his officers had been killed in the fighting.

Several fighters on both sides were reported injured.

Ali Mahdi, in a statement, said Aideed had broken the ceasefire agreed between them in 1992. He said he was ready to continue fighting.

Fighting erupted between the two groups earlier this month when pro-Aideed militia erected roadblocks and confiscated firearms from civilians under a decree announced earlier by Aideed's "government".

The latest fighting died down late on Saturday and Mogadishu was quiet but tense on Sunday.

In another statement, Ali Mahdi appealed to the U.N. to intervene to save 12 Pakistanis who have been held prisoner by Aideed in Mogadishu for several months after being accused of fishing illegally off the Somali coast.

Local residents say the Pakistanis are in poor health, and are being held in cramped and unhealthy conditions. Pakistan has not responded to demands by Aideed that it should open direct diplomatic negotiations with the Aideed "government" for the men's release.

Ali Mahdi appealed on Sunday for food and other relief supplies to be sent to Somalia. He said floods in southern Somalia had caused widespread damage, destroying crops over a large area.-Reuter