African Union (AU) and government troops launched an offensive against Islamist insurgents

A Somalia government soldier holds his weapon during an encounter with Islamist militia in the northern suburbs of Somalia's capital Mogadishu January 20, 2012. African Union (AU) and government troops launched an offensive against Islamist insurgents in the Somali capital on Friday, seizing rebel bases beyond the city's limits for the first time, the AU force said.

A Ugandan peacekeeper from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) assists his wounded colleague after an encounter with Islamist militia in the northern suburbs of Somalia's capital Mogadishu January 20, 2012.

A Ugandan peacekeeper from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) walks in front of military vehicles during an encounter with Islamist militia in the northern suburbs of Somalia's capital Mogadishu January 20, 2012. African Union (AU) and government troops launched an offensive against Islamist insurgents in the Somali capital on Friday, seizing rebel bases beyond the city's limits for the first time, the AU force said.

African Union (AU)-backed Somali government soldiers take up positions during heavy fighting on January 20 in the Somali capital Mogadishu's Yaqshid district, that pitted AU-backed soldiers against Islamist insurgents. AU-backed Somali government forces launched a fresh offensive Friday to seize holdout Islamist Shebab positions in the war-torn capital.    

An African Union (AU) tank takes up a position on January 20 during heavy fighting in the Somali capital Mogadishu's Yaqshid district that pitted AU backed TFG soldiers against islamist insurgents. AU-backed Somali government forces raided Islamist rebel hideouts in Mogadishu Friday with tanks and artillery, sparking a retaliation that killed four government soldiers and officials.  

Source: MP.net