Civilians killed as Marines pull out
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, AFP) - US Marines, firing cannons and machine-guns as they left Somalia yesterday, killed at least six civilians and wounded dozens, Somali and US sources said.
The country's top warlord, Mohamed Farah Aideed, celebrated their departure by throwing a party at his house, renovated since Spectre gunships bombed it in June 1993. A beaming Aideed exulted in the Marines' departure, saying Somalis "can rule our country".
His militiamen have seized control of the port and airport but he said he wanted men of his rival, Ali Mahdi, to patrol alongside his own force. Ali Mahdi, however, condemned the UN departure. "The international community has done a good job in this country [but] is leaving without completing certain major tasks," he said, notably "national reconciliation" and the "formation of a national government." Asked about a peace agreement, signed with General Aideed, he added: "I signed it, I have faith in it, but it only covers a small aspect of the entire crisis."
General Aideed appealed for continued humanitarian assistance to prevent a return of the famine which killed hundreds of thousands of Somalis before the UN mission arrived in late 1992.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments