By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
At least 18 people were killed Tuesday in the Somali capital during clashes between Islamic insurgents and government soldiers accompanied by African Union peacekeepers, a health care official said.
Ambulance service coordinator Rufa'i Mohamed Salad said the service collected bodies in various parts of Mogadishu Tuesday.
Medina Hospital Director Dahir Mohamed Dhere said 78 people wounded in the fighting had been admitted to his hospital. Many were seriously hurt and some were women and children he said.
Witnesses said the fighting started when insurgents attacked a military base in southern Mogadishu.