afrol News, 27 June - At least nine Somali policemen were killed as armed Islamic insurgents allegedly stormed into a police station in the country's capital, Mogadishu yesterday.

The incident occurred late on Thursday in Daynile, south of the capital and country's Al-Shabab, an Islamist Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia, claimed responsibility for the deadly attack.

Despite three months ceasefire agreement signed in Djibouti between Somali transitional government and opposition bloc earlier this month, the country continues to be engulfed in attacks by Islamic insurgents.

Islamic rebels rejected the deal saying it will only accept when Ethiopian troops withdraw from Somalia. The three-month ceasefire provides for Ethiopian troops to leave the country within 120 days.

Islamist leader, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, who ruled much of Somalia until he was ousted by Somali government backed by Ethiopia troops in 2006, urged insurgents to continue fighting until all Ethiopian troops had left the country.

Since their push-over early last year by joint Ethiopian and Somali forces, the Islamists have waged a guerilla war, which according to international rights groups and aid agencies has left at least 6,000 civilians dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.

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 writer

© afrol News

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