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[Mogadishu, 20 February 2007] – Thirteen people were killed and more than 48 were wounded in heavy mortar and rocket exchanges between unknown gunmen and Somali government-Ethiopian troops in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Around 7:30 pm local time, unknown gunmen fired several mortar bombs at the former Ministry of Defence building, Digfer hospital, and at military bases of the Ethiopian and government forces. Responding to the mortar attacks, the forces shelled Hamar weyne Village and Shangani village, where killing five civilians instantly and wounding more than 13 people in total. Last night's rocket and mortar bombs, which were the worst and deadliest in recent weeks, hit several neighbourhoods in the Somali capital Mogadishu. More than 46 families were fleeing Mogadishu by Tuesday morning. Most of these civilians were heading to Bal, in Middle Shabelle Region province, 100 km north of the capital. Hospital sources have said that many of the wounded could not be admitted to hospitals last night as attacks were still being carried out and people could not reach the hospital. Doctors in Medina hospital said most of the wounded were admitted to the hospital this morning. They said some bled to death after hours without medical care. Somalia’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Salad Ali Jelle, gave a press conference on Tuesday morning, in which he denied that Ethiopian and government forces had been shelling residential areas. The incidents took place as the transitional government formed anti-terror units, which it said would fight with the unknown gunmen. The government said it is holding the remaining members of the defeated Islamists in the capital responsible for the attacks.
Another artillery battle between the unidentified gunmen and the Ethiopian and government troops took place after midnight. Five children died and scores of people were wounded after heavy artillery and mortar bombs were exchanged in the Somali capital.