Clashes Erupt Near Mogadishu Airport as Peacekeepers Prepare to Withdraw

Fierce fighting between rival Somali militias erupted just outside the Mogadishu airport gates, with both sides exchanging mortar and automatic-weapons fire as United Nations peacekeepers prepared to withdraw. The clashes, which began in the early afternoon, continued sporadically into the evening, wounding a Somali policeman and killing at least one civilian. The violence highlights the dangers and uncertainties of Somalia, which has seen a surge in fighting just days before the arrival of over 1,500 American marines and a contingent of Italian marines to aid in the withdrawal of UN troops.

Key Takeaways:

• The fighting involved rival Somali militias, including those loyal to Gen. Mohammed Farah Aidid and his opponent Mohammed Ali Mahdi, with no clear indication of a coordinated attack on American soldiers.
• The violence forced a change in allied tactics and activities, with officials fearing that stray gunfire or snipers could target troops based at the seaport and airport.
• No American or UN casualties were reported, but the incident underscores the challenges and risks faced by peacekeeping efforts in Somalia.
• The fighting set back a joint committee formed by the two major warring subclans to run the seaport and airport, with only 8 out of 27 Somali members able to enter the airport.
• The incident highlights the ineffectiveness of recent Somali political initiatives and the need for more effective conflict resolution.
• A US Army Special Forces team observed the fighting from a sandbagged bunker, noting the daily changes in the positioning of Somali militias and their tactics.

Statistics:

• At least 1,500 Pakistani and 900 Bangladeshi peacekeepers remain in the seaport and airport.
• Over 1,500 American marines and a contingent of Italian marines are set to arrive in the coming days to aid in the withdrawal.
• 50 US Army Special Forces troops have been on the ground since February 8, patrolling alongside Pakistani and Bangladeshi troops at the perimeter of the seaport and airport.
• The attack involved Soviet antiaircraft guns and .50-caliber machine guns mounted on the back of pickup trucks.
• Automatic-weapons fire hit the back of a US Special Forces jeep.

Sources:

• "Somalis fought each other just outside the airport gates today, spraying the runway with antiaircraft rounds and mortar and automatic-weapons fire."

+ Source: The New York Times

• "One mortar shell landed about 200 yards from a 747 jumbo jet that was picking up Pakistani troops serving in the United Nations force."

+ Source: The New York Times

• "At least one Somali was killed in fighting just outside the airport gates."

+ Source: The New York Times

• "A move by the two major warring subclans to set up a joint committee to run the seaport and airport appeared to suffer a setback when only 8 of the 27 Somali members were able to enter the airport."

+ Source: The New York Times

• "George Bennett, a United Nations spokesman, said, 'It tells of their standing in their community. If they are going to run an airport and seaport, they should have access to it.'"

+ Source: The New York Times

• "Halima Achmed, a Somali translator for the United Nations, said, 'My husband and I will leave, too. Somalia again will be ruled by men with guns. We will have to escape, just as the U.N. is doing.'"

+ Source: The New York Times