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Somali khat protester shot dead | Somali khat protester shot dead |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Islamist fighters in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, shot at a crowd angered at shortages of the mild stimulant khat, killing one person, say eyewitnesses. | |
Khat vendors were protesting about loss of revenue since a ban on Kenyan flights to Somalia on Monday, that has led to a shortage of imported khat. | Khat vendors were protesting about loss of revenue since a ban on Kenyan flights to Somalia on Monday, that has led to a shortage of imported khat. |
The Islamists have subsequently burned two big khat consignments which were flown in from elsewhere this week. | The Islamists have subsequently burned two big khat consignments which were flown in from elsewhere this week. |
The Islamic courts have tried to outlaw khat since they rose to power in June. | The Islamic courts have tried to outlaw khat since they rose to power in June. |
The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) that now rules the capital says khat encourages immorality. | The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) that now rules the capital says khat encourages immorality. |
Most khat, chewed by many Somali men - especially the gunmen who have fought for control of the country for the last 15 years - was flown in from neighbouring Kenya. | Most khat, chewed by many Somali men - especially the gunmen who have fought for control of the country for the last 15 years - was flown in from neighbouring Kenya. |
Kenya banned all flights to Somalia, citing security fears. | Kenya banned all flights to Somalia, citing security fears. |
There were six flights a week from Nairobi to Mogadishu and services to three other towns and many more khat flights each day. | There were six flights a week from Nairobi to Mogadishu and services to three other towns and many more khat flights each day. |
Curfew | Curfew |
The khat protesters were burning tyres and throwing stones before shots were fired. | The khat protesters were burning tyres and throwing stones before shots were fired. |
I saw an injured man lying on the ground, he was bleeding profusely Mogadishu resident Ali Suleiman | I saw an injured man lying on the ground, he was bleeding profusely Mogadishu resident Ali Suleiman |
"We were demonstrating... [when] they opened fire on us," protester Nur Aden Wajishe told AFP news agency. | "We were demonstrating... [when] they opened fire on us," protester Nur Aden Wajishe told AFP news agency. |
Other eyewitnesses described seeing a person die of bullet wounds and several others injured in the shooting. | Other eyewitnesses described seeing a person die of bullet wounds and several others injured in the shooting. |
"A 13-year-old boy was killed," resident Ali Suleiman told Reuters news agency. | "A 13-year-old boy was killed," resident Ali Suleiman told Reuters news agency. |
"I saw an injured man lying on the ground, he was bleeding profusely," he said. | "I saw an injured man lying on the ground, he was bleeding profusely," he said. |
The BBC's Hassan Barise in Mogadishu says a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed on the city. | The BBC's Hassan Barise in Mogadishu says a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed on the city. |
The consignment of khat burned on Tuesday at an airport 50km south of Mogadishu was estimated to be worth $40,000 and to have originated from Ethiopia, local media reports. | The consignment of khat burned on Tuesday at an airport 50km south of Mogadishu was estimated to be worth $40,000 and to have originated from Ethiopia, local media reports. |
Wednesday's shipment was incinerated because it landed at Mogadishu's main airport where khat imports are not allowed, officials say. | Wednesday's shipment was incinerated because it landed at Mogadishu's main airport where khat imports are not allowed, officials say. |
Mosque attendance | Mosque attendance |
The Islamists have taken control of most of southern Somalia since seizing the capital in June. | The Islamists have taken control of most of southern Somalia since seizing the capital in June. |
Many Mogadishu residents have welcomed their rule as they have brought law and order to the city after years of anarchy. | Many Mogadishu residents have welcomed their rule as they have brought law and order to the city after years of anarchy. |
Khat has not been officially banned in the capital as it has by Islamist hardliners in Kismayo, south of Mogadishu. | Khat has not been officially banned in the capital as it has by Islamist hardliners in Kismayo, south of Mogadishu. |
But according to the Union of Islamic Courts' website, Kenya's flight ban has seen mosque attendance rise at prayer times. | But according to the Union of Islamic Courts' website, Kenya's flight ban has seen mosque attendance rise at prayer times. |
In some parts of the country, Islamists have been closing public cinemas and, according to some residents, enforcing strict dress codes. | In some parts of the country, Islamists have been closing public cinemas and, according to some residents, enforcing strict dress codes. |
There are fears of a regional conflict starting in Somalia, as Ethiopia backs the weak interim government based in the city of Baidoa and its rival Eritrea is accused of arming the Islamists. | There are fears of a regional conflict starting in Somalia, as Ethiopia backs the weak interim government based in the city of Baidoa and its rival Eritrea is accused of arming the Islamists. |