45 killed, scores injured in Mogadishu clashes

At least 45 people were killed and almost 150 others were wounded on Tuesday in fierce battles between Islamist fighters and Somali government forces backed by African Union (AU), emergency sources and witnesses said. The fighting continues into the second day after Islamist Al Shabaab movement on Monday announced an all-out war against government forces and AU peacekeeping forces in Mogadishu. The Islamist fighters attacked the Somali government positions and targets of the AU forces based in Mogadishu. Witnesses said the two sides exchanged heavy artillery and machine gunfire which mainly landed in residential areas in the south and north of the restive capital. Heavy artillery shells have landed intense machine gunfire and mortar could be heard in various parts of the capital Mogadishu. The remaining residents of the largely deserted city have begun fleeing their homes to the safety of the outskirts of the capital where almost 1.4 million of the capital residents live in camps. Islamist group of Al Shabaab on Monday called fighters to wage an all-out war against Somali government forces and AU peacekeeping troops saying that everyone should contribute in every possible way.They accuse the AU troops of invading Somalia and vowed to continue the fight against the peacekeepers until they withdraw from the war torn country.There has lately been war of words between the two opposing sides about much anticipated offensive each said would launch to get rid of the other during the on-going holy month of Ramadan.