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Somali insurgent attacks spread Somali insurgent attacks spread
(4 days later)
Fifteen people are reported to have died in northern Somalia as government soldiers fought Islamist insurgents.Fifteen people are reported to have died in northern Somalia as government soldiers fought Islamist insurgents.
The fighting began when insurgents attacked checkpoints at Adado some 600km north of the capital, Mogadishu.The fighting began when insurgents attacked checkpoints at Adado some 600km north of the capital, Mogadishu.
Meanwhile, three people have died in south-west Somalia in an Islamist raid on a hotel where a local governor and other officials were staying.Meanwhile, three people have died in south-west Somalia in an Islamist raid on a hotel where a local governor and other officials were staying.
The Bay region governor said he was safe and the attackers had retreated after heavy fighting.The Bay region governor said he was safe and the attackers had retreated after heavy fighting.
Islamists also raided the town of Jalalaqsi, north of Mogadishu, and held it briefly before leaving with a police vehicle.Islamists also raided the town of Jalalaqsi, north of Mogadishu, and held it briefly before leaving with a police vehicle.
Meanwhile, the aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has shut down a project in southern Somalia citing increased insecurity.Meanwhile, the aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has shut down a project in southern Somalia citing increased insecurity.
MSF's Arjan Hehenkamp said staff in Kismayo cannot continue working where they are deliberately targeted.MSF's Arjan Hehenkamp said staff in Kismayo cannot continue working where they are deliberately targeted.
The move comes only days after gunmen kidnapped two UN foreign workers.The move comes only days after gunmen kidnapped two UN foreign workers.
Reports say the Islamist insurgents have been regrouping and have briefly taken over six towns in the last few weeks.Reports say the Islamist insurgents have been regrouping and have briefly taken over six towns in the last few weeks.
HostagesHostages
The fate of a Briton and Kenyan taken hostage on Tuesday remains unknown.The fate of a Briton and Kenyan taken hostage on Tuesday remains unknown.
They were employed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation to conduct aerial surveys of southern Somalia. They were employed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation to conduct surveys of southern Somalia.
UN officials say local elders are negotiating their release.UN officials say local elders are negotiating their release.
Ethiopian troops backing the government ousted the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) from the capital, Mogadishu, in December 2006.Ethiopian troops backing the government ousted the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) from the capital, Mogadishu, in December 2006.
Since then the city has been the scene of clashes with government and Ethiopian troops taking on insurgents.Since then the city has been the scene of clashes with government and Ethiopian troops taking on insurgents.
Now fighting has been moving outside the capital and the Islamists are gaining ground in the central region.Now fighting has been moving outside the capital and the Islamists are gaining ground in the central region.
This is despite Prime Minister Hussein Nur Ade inviting the Islamists for talks.This is despite Prime Minister Hussein Nur Ade inviting the Islamists for talks.
UN special envoy for Somalia Ahmedou Ould Abdallah last week held talks with members of the Somali Opposition Alliance who include UIC leader Sheikh Sharrif Sheikh Hassan, and has expressed optimism that a meeting between both sides is in the offing.UN special envoy for Somalia Ahmedou Ould Abdallah last week held talks with members of the Somali Opposition Alliance who include UIC leader Sheikh Sharrif Sheikh Hassan, and has expressed optimism that a meeting between both sides is in the offing.