15 killed in Somalia clash

Mogadishu, Aug 15: Fifteen people were killed and dozens injured in a fierce clash Friday morning in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, officials said.

Somali government forces backed by African Union peacekeeping troops stormed the house of Ahmed Dai, a warlord and former commissioner of Wadajir district in Mogadishu after his militias resisted a disarmament call, Xinhua reported citing Somali government officials.

Dozens of militiamen were arrested while the warlord is missing.

The raid is part of the citywide crackdown on illegal weapons launched early this month which has seen hundreds of weapons and ammunition being recovered from warlords' homes and militias.

IANS