World Notes Somalia

The civil war in the Horn of Africa continues to devour its children. Artillery shells and rockets again pounded the center of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, last week, killing and wounding hundreds. Fighting erupted in several parts of the city, including its port, and relief workers described the carnage as "appalling."

After Somalia's longtime dictator, Mohammed Siad Barre, was overthrown by a coalition of clan-based armies last January, he was replaced as President by Ali Mahdi Mohammed of the Hawiye clan in central Somalia. In September the new President's authority was challenged by General Mohammed Farrah Aidid, a fellow clansman and chairman of the ruling United Somali Congress. The President, meanwhile, has been trying to have Aidid ousted from his position as party leader. An estimated 500 people were killed in street fighting two months ago. Weapons flooded the city, and most urban males began carrying rifles. After a lull, the struggle resumed last week.

President Mahdi has been unable to establish his government outside the capital area, and northern Somalia, declaring itself a republic, seceded in May. Now rival clans throughout the country have begun choosing sides in the battle for Mogadishu and threaten a return to full-scale warfare.