Fifty die in 24 hours of Somali violence

MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 18 (UPI) -- At least 50 people died in 24 hours of fighting between Somali government forces and Islamic insurgents battling for control of Mogadishu, witnesses said.

At least a dozen people died overnight when government forces clashed insurgents with mortars and small-arms fire overnight in Mogadishu, witnesses told The New York Times Thursday.

Elsewhere, news report indicate 20 people died Thursday in a suicide bombing apparently directed at Somlia's security minister in a hotel in Baladwayne, near the Somalia-Ethiopia border, the Times reported.

On Wednesday, at least 18 people, including the city's police chief, were killed after government forces carried out an attack on rebel stronghold in Mogadishu, witnesses said. Dozens of civilians were injured as the two sides exchanged rifle fire and artillery shells that landed in residential areas.

One of the police chief's relatives confirmed to the Times that police Col. Ali Said was killed in the fighting as were two of his colleagues.

Thousands of citizens have been displaced as Somali forces fight for control of the country's capital city against Islamic insurgents allegedly tied to al-Qaida.