afrol News, 20 June - At least 38 people are reported dead in fierce clashes in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, since a peace deal was signed in Djibouti last week. Another Somali peace agreement thus seems to be without value.

Somalis in the country's capital said fighting began when 100 insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenades attacked three government and Ethiopian bases south of the city.

Despite a ceasefire signed last week between the government and Islamist insurgents, fighting has continued between the two parties, with the latest attack targeted on President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed motorcade. In an attack, a bomb killed three policemen in Mogadishu.

Mr Yusuf's government signed a ceasefire with an opposition bloc last week in peace talks held in Djibouti, but some Islamist rebels rejected the deal saying they will only accept a deal when Ethiopian troops withdraw from Somalia. The three-month ceasefire provides for Ethiopian troops to leave the country within 120 days.

Eyewitnesses said a mortar shell dropped right in front their house and tore a child to pieces. "He was burnt beyond recognition, the only thing visible was his hat," witness said.

They emphasised that in another neighbourhood, Gubta, another strike killed four children died when artillery hit their home. In another incidence, bodies of three unidentified men were found lying in the road.

A rebel spokesperson, "Sheikh" Abdirahim Isse Adow, said two of their fighters had been killed and three wounded. "We launched a heavy attack on the Ethiopians and so-called government troops and we killed many of them," he said.

Somalia has experienced almost constant civil conflict since the collapse of Mohamed Siad Barre's regime in January 1991. Around 15 comprehensive peace deals have been signed, without being able to bring the country back to stability.

By staff writers

© afrol News

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