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Somali fighting mars anniversary Somali fighting mars anniversary
(about 2 hours later)
Militants have attacked African Union peacekeepers in Somalia's capital, as President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed celebrates a year in office.Militants have attacked African Union peacekeepers in Somalia's capital, as President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed celebrates a year in office.
At least 12 people, including civilians, are reported to have been killed in the violence in Mogadishu. At least 11 people, including civilians, are reported to have been killed in the violence in Mogadishu.
Islamist group al-Shabab has said it carried out the multiple attacks.Islamist group al-Shabab has said it carried out the multiple attacks.
Some 200 Somali officials were listening to a poetry reading to mark President Ahmed's anniversary as shells were landing nearby, AFP reports.Some 200 Somali officials were listening to a poetry reading to mark President Ahmed's anniversary as shells were landing nearby, AFP reports.
President Ahmed, a moderate Islamist and former insurgent leader, was elected after UN-sponsored talks in neighbouring Djibouti but his government remains weak.President Ahmed, a moderate Islamist and former insurgent leader, was elected after UN-sponsored talks in neighbouring Djibouti but his government remains weak.
He was declared the winner of an election by Somali MPs on 31 January 2009.He was declared the winner of an election by Somali MPs on 31 January 2009.
Al-Shabab, which denies charges it is linked to al-Qaeda, controls most of southern Somalia, while the government, backed by the peacekeeping mission, is in charge of a few areas of Mogadishu.Al-Shabab, which denies charges it is linked to al-Qaeda, controls most of southern Somalia, while the government, backed by the peacekeeping mission, is in charge of a few areas of Mogadishu.
An AU spokesman told the BBC that the fighting was fairly routine but Mogadishu residents say it was the heaviest clashes the city has seen for several months. President unhurt
Al-Shabab fighters used mortars and machine-guns to attack several government and AU positions around the city late on Thursday night. An AU spokesman told the BBC that the fighting was fairly routine.
But the BBC's Mohamed Moalimuu in Mogadishu says it was the heaviest fighting in the city for several months.
He says there was intense shelling which went on for several hours during Thursday night.
Al-Shabab fighters used mortars and machine-guns to simultaneously attack government and AU positions in the three main areas they control around the city.
These included the strategic K4 junction not far from the presidential compound, where the officials had gathered in a newly renovated theatre.These included the strategic K4 junction not far from the presidential compound, where the officials had gathered in a newly renovated theatre.
Four people were wounded at the compound but President Ahmed was unhurt, AFP reports.Four people were wounded at the compound but President Ahmed was unhurt, AFP reports.
The Islamist group said two of its fighters had been killed, along with an unknown number of AU and government troops.The Islamist group said two of its fighters had been killed, along with an unknown number of AU and government troops.
It said it launched the attack in response to government plans to take control of the whole city.It said it launched the attack in response to government plans to take control of the whole city.
"I don't have the full figures but I know that three of the dead are a mother and her two children," Mogadishu ambulance service head Ali Musa told AFP news agency."I don't have the full figures but I know that three of the dead are a mother and her two children," Mogadishu ambulance service head Ali Musa told AFP news agency.
The attack also comes a day after Djibouti said it would send 450 troops to bolster the 5,000-strong AU force from Uganda and Burundi.The attack also comes a day after Djibouti said it would send 450 troops to bolster the 5,000-strong AU force from Uganda and Burundi.
Al-Shabab has been fighting a pro-government militia for control of the central town of Beledweyne in recent weeks.Al-Shabab has been fighting a pro-government militia for control of the central town of Beledweyne in recent weeks.
Somalia has been wracked by violence for some 20 years.Somalia has been wracked by violence for some 20 years.