Sunday, April 01, 2007
The aid agency says large numbers of civilians have been caught up in the fighting between Islamist insurgents and Ethiopian troops backing the Somali transitional government.
Witnesses have accused the Ethiopians of shelling built-up areas indiscriminately, with some saying the city has come under the most intense bombardment in 16 years.
Aid agencies are calling the latest bloodshed in Somalia the worst they have seen in 15 years.
Red Cross spokesman Peram Yazdi says there have been many civilian casualties.
"The high number of the casualties coming to, only to hospitals, means 400 and mainly civilians, women and children, is showing the violence and ferocity of the fighting," he said.
"According to the director of case, he didn't see such a huge number of walking wounded since he's working in the hospital and since he's in Mogadishu."
The United States Ambassador to Kenya, Michael Ranneberger, who also represents the US in Somalia, says the continuing fighting could ruin the country's chance of achieving stability.
"Somalia is still, despite this fighting, poised at the best opportunity they have had in almost two decades to achieve lasting peace and stability," he said.
"We have been in touch with all the various actors and certainly are encouraging a resolution of this fighting as quickly as possible."
Source: BBC, Apr 01, 207