Gunmen disrupt Somali aid plans

Wednesday 14 October 1992 00:02 BST

Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Mogadishu (Reuter) - Plans to save Somalia from starvation were thrown into confusion yesterday when gunmen loyal to the former president, Mohamed Siad Barre, seized an important southern town and trapped aid workers feeding 200,000 people.

General Imtiaz Shaheen, the UN's military commander in Somalia, flew to Bardera, 300km (180 miles) west of Mogadishu, to evacuate four Somali aid staff, two US journalists and a US relief worker for the CARE agency. Sixteen other Somali and foreign aid workers were evacuated from a nearby village.

Followers of Siad Barre's son- in-law, Siad Barre Morgan, seized the town early yesterday after fierce fighting with troops loyal to Mohamed Farah Aideed, a rival warlord, but promised the relief staff would not be harmed and urged that aid work continue.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Thank you for registering

Gunmen disrupt Somali aid plans

Bookmark popover

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering