Armed fighters take over Mogadishu hospital

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

NAIROBI-- Armed Somali fighters have occupied a major hospital that offers surgical services to civilians who have been wounded in recent clashes in northern Mogadishu, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS), reported on Tuesday.

"The militias entered the hospital, which was clearly marked with the SCRC flag, yesterday [Monday] with their weapons," said Pedram Yazdi, ICRC Somalia spokesman in Nairobi. "It is a nice building with an overview of the area where there has been recent fighting. Our concern is that it is a clearly protected medical facility [under international humanitarian law]."

The occupation of the Keysaney Hospital has reduced medical services in the capital city and prompted relatives to move patients away hastily, the organisations said in a statement. "International Humanitarian Law prohibits the use of a hospital for the conduct of hostilities," the statement said. "The protection of the sick and the wounded is also at the core of the code of traditional Somali behaviour in warfare."

The ICRC spokesmen said efforts were being made to find an alternative means to provide medical services. "It is one of the two hospitals supported by the ICRC to help the war-wounded - the other is Medina," he added.

Formerly a prison, the Keysaney Hospital was rehabilitated and opened in 1992. On 25 May, as fighting raged in Mogadishu, the facility received 42 war-wounded patients. Together with Medina, the hospital treated 130 patients who had been injured in the fighting last week, Yazdi said.

Mogadishu was quiet but tense on Tuesday as heavily armed gunmen continued to patrol the streets. A fresh outbreak of violence at the weekend left at least 12 people dead and hundreds more displaced.

The recent clashes, which erupted on 18 May, pit militiamen allied to the Islamic courts against those loyal to a newly formed coalition to fight international terrorism, the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism. More than 300 people have been killed.

Those fleeing their homes have sought refuge in towns some 150km away, including Bulo Mareer, Owdhegle, Kuntuwarey, Sablaale, Wanlaweyn and Afgoy. They are reportedly living in deplorable conditions, lacking basic necessities like food, water and shelter.

The clashes threaten Somalia's fragile transitional government, which is struggling to impose its authority on the anarchic nation. The Islamist fighters, backed by influential Sharia courts, have gradually taken over large parts of the city. They have so far captured an airport; K4, a strategic junction; and the Sahafi hotel, all of which were previously under the control of the anti-terror coalition.