MOGADISHU, Somalia ? Heavy fighting broke out in Somalia's capital on Monday after pro-government forces attacked militant positions following what the African Union force said were the deaths of at least 12 Somali civilians because of militants' mortars.
Residents in Mogadishu's northern neighborhoods fled explosions and gunfire as African Union and Somali troops made a push toward positions held by al-Shabab militants.
Al-Shabab fled Mogadishu in August in what its leaders said was a tactical pullout. But the militant group returned in a big way last week, setting off a truck bomb that killed more than 100 people as students tried to learn if they had won a scholarship to attend school in Turkey.
The African Union force on Monday said the latest military battle was launched to push militants back from a range where their mortars can hit civilians. Spokesman Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda said 12 civilians were killed Sunday from such attacks.
The force commander, Maj. Gen. Fred Mugisha, said that a "small number" of al-Shabab militants remain a threat in northern Mogadishu.
Al-Shabab "will be judged harshly for the lives they take and the atrocities they commit. We need the support of all peace-loving Somalis to help us restore peace and stability to the city," Mugisha said.
Ali Haji, a Mogadishu resident, said he saw Somali soldiers stationed near the fighting. He said residents were fleeing.
Thousands of Somalis on Sunday poured into the city's sports stadium to protest last Tuesday's vicious truck bombing by the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab. The Somali president, Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, spoke at the rally, calling al-Shabab "religious thugs."
"We have to retaliate against them for burning our people to death. Somalis fought colonialists before and al-Shabab is a new colonialist," the president said to loud applause.
Under tight security, the protesters waved Somalia's blue flag as the national anthem pulsated through the stadium. Al-Shabab, mimicking the Taliban regime of Afghanistan in the 1990s, has forbidden music in areas under its control.
"They are not Muslims. They are misinterpreting the religion and have made our blood their business!" said Zaynab Ali, a protester. "They don't even spare students. We need no more patience, but to kill and fight them. Down with al-Shabab!"
Last week's attack was not the first time the insurgents targeted students seeking an education that could better the country. In December 2009 a suicide bomber attacked a graduation ceremony for medical students in Mogadishu. The area struck by Tuesday's truck bomb was near several government ministries, including the Ministry of Education.
"They killed our students to prevent them from being educated and serving their country," said Mohamed Ahmed Nor, Mogadishu's mayor. "We are not deterred by their terror acts, and our young men will continue to learn and still go abroad to learn."
The attacks and battles with al-Shabab come as the Horn of Africa nation continues to suffer through its worst drought in 60 years. Tens of thousands of Somalis have already perished. The U.N. says more than 750,000 are at risk of starvation in the next several months.
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