Today, Celebrations were underway in many cities in Somalia, to mark the 50th anniversary of the independence day, while heavy fighting resumed in the capital Mogadishu.
The President of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed is reported to have been taking part in the latest clashes in the capital Mogadishu. Sheikh Sharif was seen wearing a military gear and bullet proof vest near the battlefield. Last two days Mogadishu was the scene of heavy fighting between the government forces and insurgents.
There have been reports of an explosion inside the Presidential palace, today.
According to government officials an improvised explosive device with a timer was placed inside one of the conference halls in the presidential palace. The explosion took place just hours before the independence day ceremony was scheduled to take place in the same room.
High level officials of the government was expected to attend the ceremony, the explosion wounded several people, there is still no official word on the number of wounded in the explosion.
It is not clear how the device was placed inside the heavily guarded Villa Somalia, the Presidential palace in Mogadishu.
Mohamed Ali
Horseed Media
Somalia: Heavy fighting in Mogadishu cast shadow over the independence day celebrations
Published: July 1, 2010
