Rival clan militias battled for control of Kismayo, Somalia’s third-largest town, on Monday after disputes over how it should be run and the fate of 48 Asian fishermen who have been held by one faction since August.
Hundreds of people fled the Indian Ocean port town to escape the violence, which began on Sunday. At least five people have been killed, said Farah Mire Abdi, a radio operator who fled to the nearby town of Jillib.
Nurse Salad Mo’lin Geedi put the death toll at 16, citing comments from the wounded witnesses who were treated at a private hospital in the town of Jamame.
Somalia has had no effective central government since opposition leaders ousted dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. They then turned on each other, transforming this nation of an estimated 8,2-million into a patchwork of battling fiefdoms ruled by heavily armed militias.
The current fighting involves members of the Juba Valley Alliance, which controls Kismayo — a lucrative trading town.
Fighters loyal to the alliance chief, Colonel Barre ”Hirale” Aden Shire, are seeking to push out combatants led by one of his top officials, Colonel Abdi Igaal, witnesses who fled the town said by telephone.
Differences between the former allies emerged 15 months ago after Igaal indicated he was unhappy with the way Kismayo was run by Shire, who is also the Reconstruction Minister in Somalia’s divided transitional government.
Shire has been pressing Igaal to release 48 Asian fishermen and their three Taiwan trawlers, which were taken hostage on August 15 and were being held near Kismayo.
The hostages include three Taiwanese captains and 45 crew members from Indonesia, China, the Philippines and Vietnam.
The combatants shut down telephone and VHF radio communications to the town. It was not immediately clear whether the Asians were caught up in the fighting. — Sapa-AP