Updated News

Mogadishu civilians move out as al-Shabaab militia threatens ‘massive, final’ war on government.

Mogadishu’s battered civilian population is bracing itself for further fierce fighting, with Islamist rebels expected to step up attacks on government-allied forces and African Union peacekeepers towards the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

More than 70 people have died in the Somali capital since the start of the week, when the al-Shabaab militia declared a new “massive, final” war on the government. Among the victims were 33 people, including six MPs, who were killed in a massacre by Shabaab militants at a hotel on Tuesday.

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Gunfire rattles Mogadishu after fighting — AFP
Somalia’s government battles for control — The National
Somali government claims to contain Islamist rebels’ offensive — CNN
Somalia Government Says Hotel Attack Death Toll Rises to 33; Four MPs Dead — Bloomberg
Journalist killed in Mogadishu fighting, Al-Shabaab takes control of radio station — Reporters Without Borders
Somalis flee fourth day of violence in Mogadishu — Reuters
Somalia’s Al Shabab: Does suicide attack mark the launch of a new offensive? — Yahoo News/Christian Science Monitor
Somalia rebels looking increasingly like Taliban — Washington Times
Could Al-Shabab Topple Somalia’s Government? — Time Magazine
Foreign Policy: The Global Need For Peace In Somalia — Yoweri Museveni, NPR
Somalia has a role model for success on its doorstep — Ioan Lewis, The Guardian
Somalia’s Hour of Need — Yoweri Museveni, Foreign Policy
African Union is needed, for now, in Somali crisis — The National editorial
What it costs to run Somalia — Foreign Policy