On 28 December 2006, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Ethiopian troops took over the town of Mogadishu, while the retreating Union of Islamic Courts and their militia left many dangerous weapons in the hands of the public. Since then the security situation in Mogadishu has deteriorated as unknown attackers have carried out hit-and-run attacks on forces loyal to the TFG, and Ethiopian troops have retaliated. Mothers, children and co-workers at the SOS Children's Village Mogadishu are understandably very nervous. In Mogadishu, as always, civilians are the victims trapped in the crossfire. According to Ahmed Ibrahim, National Director of SOS Children's Villages Somalia, "Seven people were killed on 1 February, including three children, when a mortar hit a settlement for internally displaced people in Hodon District in Mogadishu. On 2 February another attack took place in Darmoley, just one kilometre from the SOS Children's Village, where attackers fired mortar bombs at an Ethiopian camp and the Ethiopians fired heavy rockets back. Although SOS mothers, children and co-workers were frightened by the sounds of rockets and bullets passing over the village, no one was injured."

Ibrahim reported that in the last two days, there have been fears that fighting between the government forces and unknown attackers may spread to the pasta factory, which houses forces opposing the Transitional Federal Government, neighbouring the children's village. This has caused tension in the village and has affected the movements of co-workers, students of the SOS Hermann Gmeiner School and the SOS Nursing School, and patients who are in need of medical services at the SOS Hospital. Ibrahim continued, "Elders and community leaders have been trying to convince both parties not to engage in any fighting in this heavily populated area."

SOS co-worker injured in crossfire

Apart from military clashes between these forces, Ibrahim says that reports of disorder and anarchy are common in many parts of Mogadishu. This has affected the free movement of people in and out of their homes. According to Ibrahim, "Political assassinations have been reported on daily basis." In addition, freelance militias have taken control of some areas in Mogadishu, setting up roadblocks in which they demand money from drivers. In one incident last Sunday (4 February), Mrs. Faduma Sheikh, one of the SOS Kindergarten educators, was caught in crossfire and wounded in the shoulder as she was returning home from work. She was taken to the International Red Cross Hospital, where she was treated and is now recovering.

Abdimalik Mohammed, assistant administrator at the SOS Hospital, said that staff are running the hospital with few drugs since the ECHO (European Commission Humanitarian Office, which transports drugs from Nairobi) flights to Mogadishu stopped nearly three weeks ago due to disputes over landing fee payments. Talks are underway to solve this problem. Mohammed assured that doctors and nurses are doing their very best under the circumstances.

Hope for the future

National Director Ibrahim concluded, "The children, mothers and other co-workers are scared and believe things might worsen in the future if steps to foster peace and reconciliation are not taken by all the parties involved in Somalia's politics." He continued: "Under international pressure to reach out to all parties in Somalia, including moderate Islamic groups, powerful clans, and members of civil society, the president agreed to call a broader reconciliation conference. In this regard there is hope that many Mogadishu residents will see the situation improve in the future."

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