Somali government raided radio stations

MOGADISHU, Somalia: Somali government soldiers raided three independent radio stations in the capital Sunday, seizing equipment, forcing the stations off the air and arresting one journalist.

The raids came a day after at least 14 people died and 30 were wounded in fighting that pitted government soldiers and their Ethiopian allies against insurgents.

"The troops came in, took our equipment and arrested our boss without explanation. We do not know why they are targeting us," Mohamed Abdullahi, a Shabelle radio staff member, told The Associated Press. Shabelle's director, Muqtar Mohamed Hirabe, was arrested.

Mohamed Abukar, a presenter and producer at Radio Horn Afrik, said troops broke down their doors and then ordered the station off air. The other shuttered station was Simba.