Death toll climbs to 33 as fighting rages
From correspondents in Mogadishu, Somalia
22feb06
AT least 15 people were killed and 23 wounded in fighting between gunmen loyal to warlords controlling the Somali capital and Islamic court security militia, witnesses and medical sources said.

This brings the death toll to 33 and dozens wounded since the clashes erupted on Saturday, pitting gunmen backed by the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT) - a coalition of warlords - against Islamic court militia along a road in southern Mogadishu's Daynile district, they said.

"The fighting intensified afternoon killing 13 people. The wounded are more than 23," Mohamed Daud, former militia commander, said.

Two other civilians, including a child, were killed by stray rounds earlier in the day, according to a witness, who asked to remain unnamed for security reasons.

Eight of the 15 dead were fighters from rival sides, according to militia sources.

Residents of the bullet-charred capital described the fighting as the heaviest in five years and a witness said the battlefield was "full of blood and it is very scary".