Clinton to meet Somali president

The meeting comes as Somalia is ravaged by heavy fighting.

somalia
Armed groups have stepped up an offensiveagainst the government [AFP]

Heavy fighting

At least seven civilians were killed and 18 others wounded in fighting between al-Shabab and government forces backed by the AU troops, police in the capital said.

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Civilians bear the brunt of Somalia fighting

The parliament was meeting for the first time since al-Shabab and Hizb al-Islam groups launched an anti-government offensive in May.

“Several mortar shells struck the compound where we were having a session but there were no casualties. The session was called off after the attack and will continue tomorrow,” Mohamed Adan, a legislator said.

Some 300 MPs were meeting in a building in the south of the capital Mogadishu when al-Shabab fighters began firing mortars.

“We heard explosions of mortar as we started our session minutes  after the president left the compound,” said Hussein Ali, another MP.

Source: News Agencies