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    October 20, 2011

Somali Forces Attack al-Shabab Militants in Mogadishu

   VOA News
   Al Shabaab's military spokesman Sheik Abdul Asis Abu Muscab issues a
   statement south of capital Mogadishu, October 19, 2011.
   Photo: Reuters
   Al Shabaab's military spokesman Sheik Abdul Asis Abu Muscab issues a
   statement south of capital Mogadishu, October 19, 2011.

   Heavy fighting has broken out between Somali government forces and
   al-Shabab rebels in the capital of Mogadishu, as Kenyan forces continue
   to advance across southern Somalia in an effort to hunt down members of
   the Somali insurgent group.
   Officials and witnesses said African Union-backed Somali forces
   launched an assault Thursday in Mogadishu's Daynile district, one of
   the few remaining pockets of the Somali capital still controlled by the
   al-Qaida-linked militants. Officials say they are now in control of
   most parts of the district.
   Al-Shabab abandoned most of the city in August, but has continued to
   carry out guerrilla-style attacks against Somali citizens and
   government forces.
   Meanwhile, a Kenyan army spokesperson said Wednesday that Kenyan forces
   have killed 73 al-Shabab fighters since launching an incursion into
   neighboring Somalia several days ago.
   Kenyan forces are reported to be in the Gedo and Lower Jubba regions of
   southern Somalia, as part of what the government calls a "pursuit"
   operation against al-Shabab. Kenya accuses the militants of kidnapping
   several foreigners on Kenyan territory -- an allegation al-Shabab has
   denied.
   France's foreign ministry said Wednesday that one of the kidnapping
   victims, French national Marie Dedieu, has died.
   Officials say Dedieu probably died because she was not given her
   required medication.
   Dedieu was in her mid-60's and used a wheelchair, which the kidnappers
   did not take with them.
   Unidentified gunmen kidnapped Dedieu from her private beach home in
   northern Kenya on October 1.
   Al-Shabab has denied responsibility for the abductions, and has called
   on Somalis to defend against what it says are Kenyan "aggressors" and
   "occupiers."
   Al-Shabab is fighting to topple the Somali government and set up an
   strictly Islamic state. The militants have threatened to attack targets
   inside Kenya unless the Kenyan government withdraws its troops from
   Somalia.

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