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Somali fighters attack AU bases Somali fighters attack AU bases
(about 1 hour later)
At least eight civilians have been killed in fierce fighting after Somali insurgents attacked African Union (AU) peacekeeping bases in Mogadishu.At least eight civilians have been killed in fierce fighting after Somali insurgents attacked African Union (AU) peacekeeping bases in Mogadishu.
Six of the dead are from a single family, killed when a mortar landed on their house, witnesses say.Six of the dead are from a single family, killed when a mortar landed on their house, witnesses say.
A BBC correspondent says deafening gunfire and explosions could be heard overnight after the simultaneous attacks on the AU's two main bases.A BBC correspondent says deafening gunfire and explosions could be heard overnight after the simultaneous attacks on the AU's two main bases.
The attacks came after a ceasefire was again delayed in neighbouring Djibouti. Meanwhile, a kidnapped German and his Somali wife have been freed.
Representatives from the government and Islamist groups could not agree on the wording of a statement on the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from the country.
They intervened in 2006 to help the government oust Islamist forces from the capital and surrounding regions.
Two neighbours who rushed to assist them died in the same house after another mortar shell struck Mohamed Hussein, elderTwo neighbours who rushed to assist them died in the same house after another mortar shell struck Mohamed Hussein, elder
Islamist fighters from the al-Shabab group are not involved in the Djibouti talks, where the ceasefire was due to be signed last Friday. They were released by police in the semi-autonomous north-eastern region of Puntland, officials say.
They said they would step up attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. They were seized at gunpoint over the weekend.
Peacekeepers unhurtPeacekeepers unhurt
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says many people were going to mosques because of Ramadan when the Islamists attacked around 0200 local time (2300GMT). The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says many people were going to mosques for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when the Islamists attacked around 0200 local time (2300GMT).
He says the AU bases near the airport and in the K4 district were attacked.He says the AU bases near the airport and in the K4 district were attacked.
"A mother and her five children died when a mortar hit their house," said elder Mohamed Hussein told the AFP news agency."A mother and her five children died when a mortar hit their house," said elder Mohamed Hussein told the AFP news agency.
Several people were also killed in clashes on Friday
"Minutes later, two neighbours who rushed to assist them died in the same house after another mortar shell struck," he said."Minutes later, two neighbours who rushed to assist them died in the same house after another mortar shell struck," he said.
The fighting is so fierce that people are unable to go and collect the bodies of those killed.
Our correspondent says two medical staff and a patient were wounded when a mortar hit a mental hospital.Our correspondent says two medical staff and a patient were wounded when a mortar hit a mental hospital.
AU spokesman Baridgye Bahuko said there had been no casualties among the peacekeepers.AU spokesman Baridgye Bahuko said there had been no casualties among the peacekeepers.
On Friday, an AU plane became the first aircraft to land at the main Mogadishu airport for four days, after al-Shabab threatened to shoot down planes. On Friday, an AU plane became the first aircraft to land at the main Mogadishu airport for four days, after insurgents from the al-Shabab group threatened to shoot down planes.
This led to fierce battles on Friday.This led to fierce battles on Friday.
Representatives from the government and Islamist groups again delayed a ceasefire they had been due to sign on Friday in neighbouring Djibouti.
They could not agree on the wording of a statement on the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from the country.
The Ethiopians intervened in 2006 to help the government oust Islamist forces from the capital and surrounding regions.
Islamist fighters from the al-Shabab group are not involved in the Djibouti talks.
They have said they would step up attacks during Ramadan.
Only Uganda and Burundi have contributed troops to the AU peacekeeping force, which has just 2,000 troops of the 8,000 planned.Only Uganda and Burundi have contributed troops to the AU peacekeeping force, which has just 2,000 troops of the 8,000 planned.
Somalia has been wracked by conflict since 1991, when former President Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown.Somalia has been wracked by conflict since 1991, when former President Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown.