Somalia clashes

MOGADISHU: At least 14 people have been killed in clashes between rival Islamic militias battling for control of a strategic western Somali town, witnesses said on Monday. A moderate Islamic group allied to the government, Ahlu Sunna Waljama, launched an attack on Sunday against its rival in Belet Weyne, which borders Ethiopia and is on a major road leading to the capital, the witnesses said. The clashes between Ahlu Sunna Waljama and Hizbul Islam continued on Monday. Belet Weyne resident Omar Adam said he saw the bodies of eight people, mostly civilians, on the streets. Another resident, Ibrahim Qayle, separately said he has counted six bodies belonging to Islamic fighters. Saida Ahmed, a nurse at Belet Weyne Hospital, said more than 20 wounded people, mostly civilians, have been admitted at the hospital because of the fighting.

Israel to seal border

JERUSALEM: Israel’s prime minister has ordered the construction of two massive fences along the long and porous southern border with Egypt, saying he wants to stem a growing flood of African asylum seekers and to prevent Islamic militants from entering the country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the structure would help preserve Israel’s Jewish majority, while providing a layer of protection along an open border with an area suspected of having an al-Qaida presence. “I decided to close Israel’s southern border to infiltrators and terrorists after prolonged discussions,” he said in a statement. “This is a strategic decision to ensure the Jewish and democratic character of the state of Israel. Israel will remain open to war refugees but we cannot allow thousands of illegal workers to infiltrate via the southern border and flood our country,” he said.