Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
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March 21, 2007

At Least 11 Killed in Fighting Between Militants, Ethiopian Forces in
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Somalia
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=16BC9E3:A6F02AD83191E16007BD40AB6E06B81A9574F7DCC14957C0 Witnesses say
insurgents have burned, dragged bodies of at least two soldiers
through streets of Mogadishu





Mogadishu residents gather around body of Somali soldier killed during
heavy fighting, 21 Mar. 2007Witnesses in Somalia say insurgents have
burned and dragged the bodies of at least two soldiers through the
streets of Mogadishu, after fierce fighting between militants and
Ethiopian forces killed at least 11 people.

The violence erupted Wednesday after insurgents attacked Ethiopian
tanks rolling through an insurgent stronghold near the headquarters of
the former Defense Ministry in southern Mogadishu.

Ethiopian troops returned heavy fire and several people were wounded
in the fighting. Witnesses say six soldiers were among the dead.

Ethiopia deployed soldiers to Somalia last December to help the
interim government push an Islamist movement from power.

Somalia's internationally-recognized government has since been
struggling to contain regular outbursts of violence by fighters loyal
to the fallen Islamist movement.

The African Union has deployed troops to Somalia to replace the
Ethiopian forces, which Addis Ababa plans to withdraw.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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