There have been several airstrikes in southern Somalia, all of which the US denies involvement in.
BBC News:
US forces say they have carried out no fresh air strikes in southern Somalia against Islamist fighters since Monday.
Residents in Afmadow town, north of Kismayo, have described two attacks, whilst another was reported by Somalis in the coastal area of Ras Kamboni.
Reports suggest Ethiopian MiG fighters and helicopter gunships seen in the city of Kismayo may be involved.
The new United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has 'expressed concern' over air strikes and US involvement.
"Notwithstanding the motives for this reported military action, the Secretary-General is concerned about the new dimension this kind of action could introduce to the conflict and the possible escalation of hostilities that may result," a UN spokesperson said. "He is also concerned about the impact this would have on the civilian population in southern Somalia, and regrets the reported loss of civilian lives."
Voices from the ground suggest that Secretary-General Ban's concerns are not misplaced.
Doctors Without Borders/Medicins Sans Frontieres:
Following the fighting near Dinsor, 160 wounded patients, both military and civilian, were admitted to the MSF medical facility by MSF staff for emergency medical care. 70 patients were treated in Istarlin Hospital in Galgaduud region, and several are still receiving medical attention there today. In Galcaayo also, a total of 19 patients were treated by MSF.
"We are deeply concerned by our ability to adequately assist victims of the current fighting in Somalia, which is compounding the already dramatic humanitarian situation in southern and central Somalia. The situation can only get worse with the continuing conflict as well as natural disasters like the recent floods. We want to send our expatriate teams back to the field as soon as conditions will allow," says Dr. Gustavo Fernandez, head of mission of MSF in Somalia.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 4,700 refugees have reached the Kenyan border, where they have no food or access to humanitarian aid.
There is no official word from the US about reports that some 3,000 US Special Forces are on the ground in Somalia.
Tags: news | politics | war | Military | Africa | Somalia | Ethiopia | Kenya | UN | disaster | Doctors Without Borders
