Tension in Mogadishu as search for insurgents continues
09/08/2007
A night of fighting in Mogadishu, Somalia, has put the nearby SOS Children's Village on high alert.
Yesterday (8/8/07), Somali government troops set up camp 300 metres from the charity's project in their search for insurgents who are said to be hiding in the area. After moving in, the troops closed off all roads leading to the village and the SOS Hospital, which is a maternity hospital and paediatric unit, offering free of charge medical care to the women and children of the community. The troops also disarmed all SOS security personnel. The hospital continues to function, caring for the patients who are already there, although no new patients are being admitted.
A gun battle ensued between government troops and insurgents near to the project last night. No-one in either the village or the hospital was hurt and fortunately the SOS Primary and Nursery Schools are both closed for holidays.
SOS Children's Director in Somalia, Ahmed Ibrahim, said that authorities in Mogadishu have advised that this is a limited military operation around the project. He added that there are no immediate plans to evacuate the village, although all options are being kept open.
Last night's fighting is the first near the village since heavy fighting closed the project for a week in late April. Since then, both the hospital, schools and village have been operating normally.
Relevant Countries: Somalia.