Fighting between militias intensifies in Somali capital

Rival militias intensified fighting today in the Somali capital, with battles spread across Mogadishu and an unknown number of civilian casualties after a day’s lull.

The latest fighting could put to an end a May 14 ceasefire between Islamic militias and a rival alliance of secular warlords because witnesses say it has spread from northern Mogadishu, which has been the scene of fierce battles in recent weeks, to the southern and eastern parts of the capital.