Concern raised for the safety of civilians in Somalia after fresh clashes

Following fresh clashes in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, the United Nations refugee agency has raised concerns over the thousands of displaced civilians who might find themselves caught up in the conflict.

The UN is calling for armed groups to protect the safety of civilians. More than 7,000 Somalis were forced to flee the Afgooye corridor north-west of Mogadishu and more than 400,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are currently living in the settlements and camps, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Civilians had fled to the Afgooye corridor to escape the insecurity of Mogadishu and other areas of Somalia. Some no longer feel safe there because of the recent outbreaks of violence and are heading back to Mogadishu, the UN says.

In a press release, the UN says that earlier this week 150 buses and donkey carts were observed by the UNHCR bringing displaced people to exit points. Some of the displaced people had been unable to bring their possessions with them and aid agencies are acting to provide shelter, food and water.

Bruno Geddo, UNHCR's Representative for Somalia, said:

"One-third of Somalia's internally displaced population lives in the Afgooye corridor."

"Many are now on the move again. We urge all armed groups and forces to prioritise the safety and protection of these vulnerable people and the residents of Afgooye."

This is all part of the much larger problem of displacement in Somalia. Figures from the UN show that more than 1 million Somalis are displaced and close to a million live as refugees in surrounding countries.

The failed state of Somali has made the news many times in recent years largely because of the problems of piracy. Without a government since a civil war in 1991, Somalia remains a lawless and unstable country. To add to its people's woes, Somalia was struck by a famine in 2011. Earlier this month the UN issued a statement saying that the famine was over but the Horn of Africa remains vulnerable. 31% of people in Somalia are in need of emergency humanitarian assistance and more than 300,000 children acutely malnourished.