Mogadishu airport hit by twin suicide bombings

10/09/10 07:32 CET

world news

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Violence is reaching new levels in Somalia with the hitherto relatively safe Mogadishu airport targeted today by sucide bombers. Since late August Al-Shahab militants have been stepping up their attacks on the western-backed government.

Today at least two African Union peacekeepers were killed and an unknown number of civilians, and it is their fate that is particularly alarming the UN, which says 250 have died and 400 have been wounded in the last two weeks.

“You can see the situation we’re in, because of the fighting. Every time there is gunfire I don’t know where to go, but I have to leave my home because of the fighting,” said one frightened woman.

The government fears a spectacular attack will be mounted to coincide with the end of the Moslem holy month of Ramadan. At least 68,000 civilians have fled the capital this year, most of them to Kenya.

More about: Attack, Somalia, Terrorism

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