04 Sep 2009
At least 6 civilians have lost their lives and eleven others injured during fierce fighting between African Union soldiers and Somali rebels.

Violence broke out after the local fighters launched an attack on the international forces under the AU mandate for the establishment of peace in the lawless Horn of Africa state, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Heavily-armed Al Shabaab militia on Thursday attacked the Burundian peacekeeper's base in northern Mogadishu with portable rocket launchers.

Despite a public call by Somali clerics for the renunciation of bloodshed in the holy month of Ramadan, Al Shabaab guerillas intensified their anti-government campaign and vowed to hammer out the foreign troops during the Muslim's holy period of fasting.

There are conflicting reports on the number of casualties inflicted upon the adversaries in the assault as each side claims to have slaughtered 'dozens' of the opponents.

Living conditions in the poor violence-plagued nation have exacerbated as more families struggle to survive the dire humanitarian situation in the country.

Recently, there have been reports of missing children as parents fear that they might be recruited as child soldiers for Somali rebels.

presstv