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African force ambushed in Somalia African force ambushed in Somalia
(40 minutes later)
At least nine Somalis have been killed in a restaurant in the capital, Mogadishu, in an attack aimed at newly arrived African Union troops.At least nine Somalis have been killed in a restaurant in the capital, Mogadishu, in an attack aimed at newly arrived African Union troops.
A BBC correspondent says insurgents fired a rocket-propelled grenade at an AU convoy but it missed the target.A BBC correspondent says insurgents fired a rocket-propelled grenade at an AU convoy but it missed the target.
Around 400 Ugandans arrived on Tuesday, and the same again the next day. They have not yet gone on patrol but have come under fire at their airport base. Two batches of about 400 Ugandans have arrived since Tuesday. The first group to arrive came under mortar fire at their airport base.
The troops have been sent to back up Somalia's transitional government.The troops have been sent to back up Somalia's transitional government.
The AU force is taking over from Ethiopian troops who intervened to help the government oust the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), which had held power for six months and restored some order to the anarchic country.The AU force is taking over from Ethiopian troops who intervened to help the government oust the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), which had held power for six months and restored some order to the anarchic country.
But violence has escalated in the past two months, with dozens of people being killed by insurgents, and now the AU is being targeted.But violence has escalated in the past two months, with dozens of people being killed by insurgents, and now the AU is being targeted.
"Convoys of Ugandan troops were ambushed as they were passing the main junction in Mogadishu, and they exchanged heavy gunfire with the insurgents," said Shino Abdukadir, an eyewitness."Convoys of Ugandan troops were ambushed as they were passing the main junction in Mogadishu, and they exchanged heavy gunfire with the insurgents," said Shino Abdukadir, an eyewitness.
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says at least three civilians were wounded during the gunfight and the casualty toll at local hospitals may increase.The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says at least three civilians were wounded during the gunfight and the casualty toll at local hospitals may increase.
Unconfirmed reports say two Ugandan soldiers were injured when their car hit a land mine.Unconfirmed reports say two Ugandan soldiers were injured when their car hit a land mine.
Call to attackCall to attack
The AU said the deployment would continue, despite the threat.The AU said the deployment would continue, despite the threat.
AU FORCE IN SOMALIA Uganda: 1,700 Nigeria: 850 Burundi: 1,700Ghana: unconfirmed Q&A: Somali conflict Have Your SayAU FORCE IN SOMALIA Uganda: 1,700 Nigeria: 850 Burundi: 1,700Ghana: unconfirmed Q&A: Somali conflict Have Your Say
"The AU has promised to deploy in Somalia and in Mogadishu. The attacks and threats do not set back the deployment," said the AU's Assane Ba."The AU has promised to deploy in Somalia and in Mogadishu. The attacks and threats do not set back the deployment," said the AU's Assane Ba.
However a Mogadishu radio station broadcast a call by a UIC commander, Aden Hashi Ayro, for attacks on the peacekeepers.However a Mogadishu radio station broadcast a call by a UIC commander, Aden Hashi Ayro, for attacks on the peacekeepers.
"It is time for the Somali youth to fight the occupation by Ethiopia and others," he said."It is time for the Somali youth to fight the occupation by Ethiopia and others," he said.
"The Muslims shall not surrender to non-believers," he added."The Muslims shall not surrender to non-believers," he added.
The BBC's Karen Allen in Uganda says the fear is that, just as happened in Sudan's Darfur region, the AU force might not have the numbers or resources to cope with the threat.The BBC's Karen Allen in Uganda says the fear is that, just as happened in Sudan's Darfur region, the AU force might not have the numbers or resources to cope with the threat.
So far, the AU has managed to raise only about half of the 8,000 troops required. Burundi, Nigeria and Ghana are also expected to contribute.So far, the AU has managed to raise only about half of the 8,000 troops required. Burundi, Nigeria and Ghana are also expected to contribute.
The targeting of Ugandan troops by insurgents in Somalia could give other troop-contributing nations cold feet, derailing the mission, our correspondent adds.The targeting of Ugandan troops by insurgents in Somalia could give other troop-contributing nations cold feet, derailing the mission, our correspondent adds.