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Battle of Mogadishu (2008)

Battle of Mogadishu (2008)
Part of the War in Somalia
Date April 19 - April 20, 2008
Location Mogadishu, Somalia
Result Indecisive
Belligerents
Flag of the Islamic Courts Union crossed swords.svg Hizbul Shabaab

 Ethiopia

Somalia Transitional Federal Government
Casualties and losses
10 killed 18 killed
Civilian casualties:
98 killed (Elman Human Rights Group claim)
214 killed (Hawiye claim)

 Ethiopia

The 2008 Battle of Mogadishu began when Ethiopian soldiers started entering insurgent-held parts of the city which sparked heavy street fighting. Between 126 and 142 people died in the fighting. The battle usually includes the date, when referenced, in order to distinguish it amongst the during the decades long Somali Civil War.

On April 19, militants ambushed a group of Ethiopian soldiers, who entered an area of Mogadishu on foot, sparking heavy battles. The intense battle spread out across three districts in the northern quarter of the capital Mogadishu, with Ethiopian troops expanding into insurgent strongholds for the first time in weeks. Abdi Rahim Isa Adow, a spokesman for the Islamic insurgents, confirmed that seven militants had been killed but said that "a large number of Ethiopian soldiers" had also been killed. Witness Omar Abdulahi said that among the dead he counted were two old men shot by Ethiopian soldiers inside their homes. Nasteho Moalim said her 7-year-old daughter and three neighbors were killed by tank shells fired by Ethiopian forces that hit their homes.

On April 20, Islamist insurgents ambushed a security vehicle in the capital's Madina neighbourhood, killing two soldiers and a shopowner who was caught in the crossfire. Later in the day, five Somali soldiers and three insurgents in addition to a number of civilians. Two Ethiopian soldiers were confirmed to be among the dead.

On April 21, the Somali capital was largely quiet as residents ventured out onto the streets to collect the bodies of the dead or escape the city.

According to several witnesses, Ethiopian soldiers stormed a mosque and killed several occupants. 11 bodies were later found, some with their throat slit and others shot to death. Of the 11 dead victims, nine were regular congregants at the mosque and reportedly were part of the Tabliiq wing of Sunni Islam.

Tabliiq official Shiekh Abdi-kheyr Isse said the Ethiopians had "slaughtered" the clerics. "The first person they [Ethiopian soldiers] killed was Sheikh Said Yahya, the Imam," a witness said, adding that the late Imam opened the mosque door after the soldiers knocked.


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