AT least 18 people were killed in gun battles in Somalia’s second largest city in the heaviest fighting in four years.

June 9, 2013

Bloody Somalia gunfight kills 18

Published: Sun, June 9, 2013

Somalia is suffering its heaviest surge of fighting in four years

Thirteen people – nearly all militia men – died yesterday with five people killed the day before.

Clashes in the port of Kismayu stoked fears of a return to the clan wars that tipped the country into anarchy two decades ago.

Thirteen people – nearly all militia men – died yesterday with five people killed the day before.

Residents hid indoors and businesses stayed shut as fighters in machine gun-mounted trucks battled for control.