Car bomb in Somalia kills at least 7 as clashes enter third day

Car bomb in Somalia kills at least 7 as clashes enter third day

2011-02-22 08:49:21 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (BNO NEWS) -- A car bomb blasted a government training facility for security forces in Somalia's capital of Mogadishu on Monday, killing at least 7 people, officials said.

The attack occurred in the Hamarjajab district of Mogadishu, and among the fatal victims were two children. Dozens more were injured as well when the vehicle exploded some 30 feet in front of the facility.

Meanwhile, the Suna Times reported that over 20 civilians have been reported dead and over 30 others injured as violent clashes enter their third day in Mogadishu.

The fighting erupted Saturday as the jihadist movement al-Shabaab tried to retake a tunnel network, which is used by the group to move weapons and fighters around the capital, after government forces, backed by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), began to destroy it. Both sides have suffered several casualties.

Early Monday morning, clashes were carried out in Mogadishu's Hodan, Hawlwadag, and Bondhere districts.

On Sunday, AMISOM said the combined forces controlled about 60 percent of the city. The government, however, has little influence beyond Mogadishu, and Al-Shabaab controls much of south and center of the war ravaged east African country.

Somalia has not had an effective government since Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown two decades ago.

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