Somali death toll rises to 75

Mogadishu - At least nine people were killed and eight others wounded inter-clan fighting in northern Mogadishu on Friday, bringing to 75 the number of people who have died since clashes erupted on May 10, witnesses said.

"The Friday battle took place in Karan neighbourhood and most of the dead were civilians," businessman Omar Mohamud Grabey said.

"Two men, one of them carrying his belongings, were killed near my shop. Only two or three of the number killed appeared to be militiamen" he said, adding that the intensity of the fighting had prevented him from opening his shop since Wednesday.

The fighting pitted fighters loyal to Somali warlord Musa Sudi Yalahow against those backing Bashir Raghe, an ally of Mohamed Omar Habeb. All belong to the larger Abgal clan, dominant in north Mogadishu.

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