Violence escalates further in Somalia

FIGHTERS loyal to secular warlords and Islamic extremists fired artillery and mortars at each other early yesterday in Somalia’s capital as hundreds of families fled violence that has killed at least 122 people over five days.

The fighting has escalated steadily despite efforts by businessmen, clan elders and moderate religious leaders to broker a cease-fire.

It started on Sunday when extremists with alleged ties to al-Qaida tried to capture a strategic road through northern Mogadishu from the warlords.