Fighting in Somalia capital kills at least 22,Police chief, 5 children killed in Somalia

MOGADISHU, June 17 (Reuters) - Heavy fighting between hardline Islamist rebels and government forces in Somalia's capital on Wednesday killed at least 22 people, including Mogadishu's police chief.
Insurgents with links to al Qaeda stepped up attacks on the government in early May to try and oust President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed. Fierce clashes have killed nearly 300 people since then.
Western nations, some of Somalia's neighbours and the government fear that if the chaos persists, more foreign fighters coming to wage holy war will be sucked into the Horn of African nation, increasing risks to the region in general.
"We do not have a specific number, but at least 500 fighters are in Mogadishu alone and I think this is a great danger to the entire region," Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke said. "Some middle ranking al Qaeda officials came into the country and they want to make a base in Somalia...more..http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LH397968.htm
Police chief, 5 children killed in Somalia
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