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Police, Military Forces Clash in Lower Shabelle Region


Garowe Online (Garowe)


NEWS
7 July 2008
Posted to the web 8 July 2008


Security forces loyal to different levels of government clashed in southern
Somalia Monday, sparking a deadly battle that wounded at least six people.

The fighting started after a military unit from Lower Shabelle region escorting
a UN World Food Program food aid was stopped at a police checkpoint in Wanla
Weyn district.



A witness told Garowe Online that there was "misunderstanding over money"
between soldiers escorting the WFP food aid and police officers at the
checkpoint.

All six wounded persons were reported to be fighters, although unconfirmed
reports tell Garowe Online that three of them died later.

Elders in Wanla Weyn district have intervened in the matter and the food aid,
destined to reach Bay and Bakool regions, remains stranded at the checkpoint,
the sources added.

Somalia's interim government, formed in 2004, is trying to reimpose national
order and create the Horn of Africa country's first effective government in
nearly 18 years.

Fighting among the government's security forces is relatively common,
especially in Mogadishu where both criminals and soldiers wear the traditional
military uniform.


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