17 Dead After Heavy Fighting in Somalia

Heavy fighting in the southern part of Somalia’s capital caught civilians in the cross-fire Friday, with at least 17 people reported dead. There were fears the fighting could spread.

Some reports put the death toll as high as 75.

About 250 people had been admitted to three hospitals since fighting erupted Thursday, when peace talks broke down between two warlords, said Fred Grimm, head of Red Cross operations in Somalia.

Workers at treatment centers said Friday that dozens more wounded could not be moved to hospitals because of the fighting. Most of those killed Friday were civilians. Seven people died Thursday, including three civilians.

One warlord, self-proclaimed president Gen. Mohammed Farah Aidid, wants forces of his former financial backer, Osman Atto, to pull out of strategic points in south Mogadishu, including the former U.S. Embassy and the university compound once used by U.N. forces.

Atto split with Aidid early last year, accusing him of being the main obstacle to peace in Somalia.

Five staff members of the Somali Red Crescent society, which works with the Red Cross, have been injured trying to evacuate the wounded, Grimm said.

“As far as possible, the Red Crescent teams will continue to try to reach the wounded, whatever side they are on, but this can only be possible if the combatants respect our emblem,” Grimm said.

Armed vehicles of another faction leader, Ali Mahdi Mohamed, were seen carrying out maneuvers near the border separating the southern and northern parts of Mogadishu, sparking fears the fighting could spread.

Somalia has had no government since early 1991, when a rebel coalition ousted dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. The country has since dissolved into fiefdoms of warring factions.