Militia Fighting Intensifies In Mogadishu

NAIROBI, May 25 -- Islamic and secular militias battled in Somalia's capital Thursday, the most widespread and some of the deadliest fighting in Mogadishu in 14 years. Dozens of people were killed and thousands fled their homes on foot.

The fighting spread from northern Mogadishu, the scene of fierce battles in recent weeks, into the southern and eastern parts of the city, where the Islamic Court Union militia made a rare foray, witnesses said.

Islamic militiamen captured a strategic road junction, known as K4, and seized the historic Sahafi Hotel, owned by a member of the rival secular militia, the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counterterrorism.

The fight for control of Mogadishu comes despite a May 14 cease-fire agreement. The alliance says the self-appointed Islamic Court leaders, who have their own militias, have links to al-Qaeda, while the Islamic militia accuses the alliance of working for the CIA. U.S. officials decline to confirm any association with the secular militia.

More than 140 people were killed in eight days of fighting earlier this month, and at least six people were killed in battles that erupted Wednesday in north Mogadishu. But residents said that Thursday marked the first time since 1992 -- when international forces came to Somalia, resulting in the failed U.S. military operation described in the book and movie "Black Hawk Down" -- that battles had broken out in different parts of Mogadishu on the same day.

At least 48 people were killed and about 90 injured, said Abdi Ibrahim Jiya of the Somali Doctors Association, citing information collected from the main hospitals in Mogadishu. He said the death toll would probably rise because many civilians were unable to make it to a hospital.

Thousands of civilians fled their homes on foot, some carrying children on their backs, trying to avoid the crossfire or stray rockets, shells and bullets.

Among those fleeing southern and eastern Mogadishu were residents who had sought refuge there after leaving the north.

"I have fled from northern Mogadishu. Now the fighting has affected me in the south. So I would prefer to go back to home since there is no safe place in the city," said Sadumo Imaam, whose youngest child was killed Thursday by mortar fire.

The Islamic militiamen portray themselves as an alternative force capable of bringing order to Somalia, which has been without a real government since largely clan-based warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

A U.N.-backed government based in the central city of Baidoa, 155 miles northwest of Mogadishu, has been unable to assert authority. Islamic leaders reject the government because it is not based on Islam.

The battle for Mogadishu has further complicated relations within the transitional government. Transitional Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi gave an ultimatum to cabinet ministers involved with the secular alliance -- which operates independently -- telling them to join the administration in Baidoa or resign.

Mohamed Qanyare Afrah, an alliance leader and the national security minister, said Thursday that he and three other alliance leaders in the cabinet had not resigned despite widespread reports they had, raising questions about the viability of the already weak government.