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Version 6 Version 7
Big attack on Mogadishu Islamists Big attack on Mogadishu militants
(about 4 hours later)
Pro-government forces in Somalia have launched a major attack against Islamist militants controlling parts of the capital, Mogadishu.Pro-government forces in Somalia have launched a major attack against Islamist militants controlling parts of the capital, Mogadishu.
The assault is an attempt to recapture areas seized by the rebels last week. The assault is an attempt to recapture areas seized by the rebels.
Our correspondent in Mogadishu says the sound of heavy gunfire and shelling can be heard across the city. Medical sources told the BBC that at least 30 people had been killed in the latest clashes.
Forces loyal to the transitional government - which is recognised by the UN - lost control of about one-third of the city to militants last week.Forces loyal to the transitional government - which is recognised by the UN - lost control of about one-third of the city to militants last week.
Ten days of fierce clashes between the pro-government forces and militant Islamic groups - al-Shabab and Hisbul-Islam - have left more than 100 people dead and displaced 46,000 civilians. Bitter fighting
Government determined Ten days of fierce clashes between the pro-government forces and militant Islamic groups - al-Shabab and Hisbul-Islam - have left more than 100 people dead and displaced about 50,000 civilians.
In Friday's offensive, at least seven people, one of them a local journalist from Radio Shabelle, were killed.
This is a large military offensive against violent people Farhan Mahdi MohamedMilitary spokesman Somali justice - Islamist-style Q&A: Somalia's conflictThis is a large military offensive against violent people Farhan Mahdi MohamedMilitary spokesman Somali justice - Islamist-style Q&A: Somalia's conflict
The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan, in Mogadishu, says the pro-government forces have launched a massive military offensive against the insurgents. The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan, in Mogadishu, says the pro-government military offensive against the insurgents is significant.
Most of the fighting is focusing around one of the city's main roads, Wadnaha, he says. Most of the fighting is focusing around one of the city's main routes, Wadnaha Road, he says.
African Union peacekeepers based in the capital to support the fragile administration are not involved in the attack, he adds. The 4,300-strong force does not have a mandate to pursue the insurgents.African Union peacekeepers based in the capital to support the fragile administration are not involved in the attack, he adds. The 4,300-strong force does not have a mandate to pursue the insurgents.
"This is a large military offensive against violent people," military spokesman Farhan Mahdi Mohamed told AFP news agency."This is a large military offensive against violent people," military spokesman Farhan Mahdi Mohamed told AFP news agency.
"The government will sweep them out of the capital and the fighting will continue until that happens.""The government will sweep them out of the capital and the fighting will continue until that happens."
A moderate Islamist President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was elected by a unity government in January as part of a UN-backed peace initiative.A moderate Islamist President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was elected by a unity government in January as part of a UN-backed peace initiative.
But even his introduction of Sharia law to the strongly Muslim country has not appeased the hardline guerrillas, who are accused of links to al-Qaeda.But even his introduction of Sharia law to the strongly Muslim country has not appeased the hardline guerrillas, who are accused of links to al-Qaeda.
The Horn of Africa state has been mired in conflict for 18 years.The Horn of Africa state has been mired in conflict for 18 years.
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