[allAfrica.com]


Ugandan Soldiers Start Mine Removing Operation in Mogadishu's Battled Areas

Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
NEWS
5 May 2007
Posted to the web 6 May 2007

By Aweys Osman Yusuf
Mogadishu
African Union troops in Mogadishu embarked on removing mines buried around the
road sides of Ramadan Hotel in north of the capital where the worst fighting
took place between Somalia-Ethiopian troops and Islamic insurgents last month.
Shabelle correspondent Abdulkadir Olad who was at the area said at least 3
unexploded mines were removed from the road passing outside the hotel while 1
was detonated by the troops. "The Ugandan soldiers, AMISOM, sealed the road
denying cars and buses to run before they initiated the mine removing
operation. So far they successfully did their job without an incident," he
said.
Areas closer to the hotel were the insurgents' strongholds before they were
defeated by the government troops and their Ethiopian allied forces.
The AU UPDF troops supported by number of battlewagons have also reached Medina
hospital Saturday, offering the hospital with a huge water tank. The hospital
admitted more wounded patients than it could manage during the fighting,
causing the patients to lie on the floor after beds were full.
Some of the mines were reportedly exposed to the open as heavy raining poured
down in the capital overnight. Experts say all areas in north Mogadishu where
the fighting took place were loaded with ground mines and need to be removed
before they explode.
The estimated 1,700 AU troops in Somalia have lately been engaged in relief
effort operations, providing Mogadishu's internally displaced people with
natural water. They promised they would possibly position themselves in the
streets of Mogadishu and restore stability and peace to the world's most
dangerous city.

===============================================================================
 Copyright © 2007 Shabelle Media Network. All rights reserved. Distributed by
                   AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
===============================================================================