MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Witnesses said heavy shelling between Somali rebels and government forces near the presidential palace killed at least 12 people on Sunday.

Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke said more African Union peacekeepers were expected soon but gave no details.

The government and rebels who want to install an Islamic state in the east African country blame each other for instigating the violence. More than 4,000 African Union peacekeepers are here, but they mostly just protect government installations.

Sahra Abdulle, a Mogadishu resident who saw bodies in the streets and wounded people running from the mortar shells, said “it was a very gruesome scene.”

Another witness, Suleyman Abdulkadir, said at least 12 people died.

Source: AP

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