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'Fighter influx' for Somali group | 'Fighter influx' for Somali group |
(about 4 hours later) | |
An Islamist commander in Somalia has told the BBC there has been an influx of fighters from overseas joining their battle against the interim government. | An Islamist commander in Somalia has told the BBC there has been an influx of fighters from overseas joining their battle against the interim government. |
The al-Shabab militant leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said several hundred foreigners had joined their militia, many from Pakistan. | The al-Shabab militant leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said several hundred foreigners had joined their militia, many from Pakistan. |
Meanwhile, at least 30 people have been killed in fighting in the capital, Mogadishu, over the past three days. | |
Africa Union leaders meeting in Libya are due to discuss Somalia later. | Africa Union leaders meeting in Libya are due to discuss Somalia later. |
There have been calls for the AU to boost its force of some 4,000 peacekeepers based in Mogadishu. | There have been calls for the AU to boost its force of some 4,000 peacekeepers based in Mogadishu. |
The BBC's Andrew Harding, in Buale in the south, says an al-Shabab commander confirmed foreign fighters were among his ranks. | The BBC's Andrew Harding, in Buale in the south, says an al-Shabab commander confirmed foreign fighters were among his ranks. |
The radical al-Shabab Islamists, who are accused of links to al-Qaeda, already control much of the south of the country. | The radical al-Shabab Islamists, who are accused of links to al-Qaeda, already control much of the south of the country. |
Militant alliance | Militant alliance |
Earlier this week government forces displayed what they said were the bodies of some al-Shabab foreign fighters. | Earlier this week government forces displayed what they said were the bodies of some al-Shabab foreign fighters. |
AU troops - 'fig-leaf' for Somalia? | AU troops - 'fig-leaf' for Somalia? |
But the insurgents denied that any foreigners had been killed. | But the insurgents denied that any foreigners had been killed. |
Fierce fighting between government forces and militants around Mogadishu continued on Friday for a third day, leaving 30 people dead and 70 wounded. | |
The fighting started late Wednesday and has continued in residential areas north of the city, witnesses told the BBC | |
Each side blamed the other for starting the violence. | Each side blamed the other for starting the violence. |
"We have been attacked and we are defending ourselves and our legal government," said military spokesman Farhan Asanyo on Thursday. | "We have been attacked and we are defending ourselves and our legal government," said military spokesman Farhan Asanyo on Thursday. |
Muse Abdi Arale, of the Hisbul Islam group which fights alongside al-Shabab, said government soldiers attacked them and in response they pushed them back and have taken new areas. | Muse Abdi Arale, of the Hisbul Islam group which fights alongside al-Shabab, said government soldiers attacked them and in response they pushed them back and have taken new areas. |
Since 7 May, an alliance of militant Islamist hardliners has been locked in ferocious battles with pro-government forces in Mogadishu. | Since 7 May, an alliance of militant Islamist hardliners has been locked in ferocious battles with pro-government forces in Mogadishu. |
More than 165,000 people have been forced to flee their homes. | More than 165,000 people have been forced to flee their homes. |