AU troops will go anywhere in Somalia, says spokesperson.Clash with rebels leaves 21 dead in Somalia, Three UPDF Soldiers Killed

Maj. Marigye Bahoko, the spokesperson of the AU peace keepers in Somalia said Monday they will go any town in Somalia to defend the Somali government.
Major Brigye held a press conference in Mogadishu and talked about the fighting between the government soldiers and Islamist forces in north Mogadishu saying that their forces were remained only guarding the seaport, airport, and the presidential palace.
Barigye declared that the AMISOM troops have now a mandate to go anywhere in Somalia and even the cities and towns under the control of the Islamist insurgents, notably Kismayo and Baidoa. The African Union troops in Mogadishu had for the first time took part the fighting in the capital on Saturday since they arrived Somalia in 2007. Their mandate was to keep guard the key areas of the Somali government and defend them selves when they are attacked but the spokesman said their mandate was changed.

Clash with rebels leaves 21 dead in Somalia

Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed yesterday hailed a "clear victory" over Islamist rebels in a months-long battle to gain control of the capital, as the latest clashes left at least 21 dead. At least 18 of those killed in the fighting, as the government attacked rebel positions northern Mogadishu, were civilians. Mr. Sharif said the operation had dealt a blow to the militants in long-running efforts to win control. "You can see government forces are today in control of most areas that were being fought over in the capital," he said yesterday. "This is a clear victory over the rebels." Mr. Sharif is fighting to end an 18-year-old conflict in Somalia against a fierce insurgency.
Three UPDF Brave Soldiers Lost In The Line Of Duty

Kampala — A mortar shell killed three Ugandan soldiers of the African Union peacekeeping force on Saturday and injured another, according to the UPDF.
"A mortar shell landed at the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu, killing three of our soldiers," army spokesman Maj. Felix Kulayigye told The New Vision yesterday.
"Another one sustained serious injuries. He will be evacuated to Nairobi (Kenya) later today (yesterday)."..more..http://allafrica.com/stories/200907130002.html