Somalia: Weekly Humanitarian Bulletin No. 14, 9 - 16 Apr 2010

Key Overall Developments

Mogadishu

On 12 April, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG)/ African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces clashed with insurgents in different areas in Mogadishu. More than 20 civilians were killed and another 76 were injured following heavy shelling. The clashes started when five mortar rounds were fired by the insurgents in the direction of the airport and Villa Somalia (the presidential palace). The TFG/AMISOM forces at Villa Somalia returned fire against insurgent positions in Hawlwadag and Yaqshid districts hitting civilian residential areas.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, expressed dismay over the shelling. In a press statement issued on 13 April, he stated "I am deeply disturbed by the plight facing civilians in Mogadishu, who are caught amidst the warring parties. This latest incident follows on the heels of one of the most injurious months for Mogadishu residents," said Mr. Bowden. In March, more than 900 civilians were wounded as a direct result of the conflict in Mogadishu. More than 100 of the injuries were children under the age of five. The HC reiterated the call for all parties to the conflict to comply with the requirements clearly laid down in International Humanitarian Law to protect civilian populations against the indiscriminate use of arms, particularly in densely populated areas.

As of 16 April, UNHCR estimated that 99,200 people had been displaced from Mogadishu, since 1 February, with a total of 59,200 people having left the city. Another 30,600 people have been displaced within Mogadishu. The displacement figures of 7,600 people during the first two weeks of April indicate that movements out of the city are slowing down