The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia expressed grave concern Monday at the latest spike in violence in the capital, Mogadishu.
At least 80 civilians were killed and more than 8,000 others forced to flee their homes since the start of February.
Mark Bowden, who is also the UN Resident Coordinator in Somalia, said the most recent fighting has been focused in northern Mogadishu, especially the districts of Heliwa, Yaaqshiid and Wardhiigleey.
– Civilians continue to bear the brunt of conflict and insecurity in the country, he said.
The worst of the latest fighting between Government forces and al-Shabaab militiamen is reported to have occurred on 10 February.
24 people died and nearly 160 others had to be hospitalized with war-related injuries.
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About a third of the people fleeing the fighting have moved to other neighbourhoods within Mogadishu.
The majority, however, have moved out of the city.
They seek the so-called Afgooye corridor, a strip of makeshift shelters which stretches 30 kilometres west of the capital and is already home to an estimated 366,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Mogadishu is among the most war-wracked parts of Somalia, where about 1.4 million people are internally displaced and millions more live in neighbouring countries such as Kenya. Somalia has not had a functioning national government since 1991.
