London BBC World Service “Focus on Africa” program (in English) — 1709 GMT

Things seem to be going from bad to worse for Somali President Siad Barre. After several weeks of countrywide fighting between government troops and rebels, the capital Mogadishu seems to be sliding into chaos. Last night, a fresh bout of heavy fighting broke out in the capital and the loss of lives has been heavy. From Mogadishu, our correspondent Saeed Baker telexed this report:

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The fighting started yesterday at around 2 P.M. local time. State-run Radio Mogadishu, quoting the Interior Ministry, said that bandits the usual term for rebels fighting to overthrow the government-attacked the Wardhigley District, killing a high-ranking army officer. According to the radio, they also destroyed two national security service vehicles and seriously wounded some members of the national security services. It is believed that the attack was launched by members of the United Somali Congress. It is thought that between 90 and 100 rebels were involved and that they were trying to get a foothold in Mogadishu’s suburbs. The security forces set up roadblocks all around the threatened areas and a number of people were shot when the cars they were travelling in failed to stop at checkpoints.

Throughout the night, intermittent firing could still be heard, and an unofficial estimate put the casualty figures at 20 dead and more than 50 wounded. This morning, the security forces started mopping-up operations, and there are reports of large numbers of arrests, but so far, no official figures have been given. There has also been intermittent shooting in the streets, and many Mogadishu inhabitants have fled southwards to escape the fighting, which is spreading in the densely populated Wardhigley and Howl-Wadag Districts. Meanwhile, another opposition grouping known as the Manifesto One Group, today called for a ceasefire between government forces and the rebels.

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