United Nations Radio

Fighting in Somalia has spread to areas that had not experienced violence before, according to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR).

Displaced Somalis

UNHCR says the escalating conflict in the Somali capital of Mogadishu is having a devastating impact on the city's population causing suffering and massive displacement.

The agency estimates that by Monday, the eight-week offensive led by the Al-Shabab and Hisb-ul-Islam militias against government forces had driven over 200,000 people from their homes.

UNHCR notes that this is the biggest exodus from the troubled Somali capital since the Ethiopian intervention in 2007.

Quoting local partners, UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond says in the past week alone more than 100 people have been killed and over 300 injured in the fighting that has spread to new areas.

"Several neighbourhoods have been affected and these areas have hitherto been islands of peace in the chaotic city. They did previously escape much of the conflict and destruction but many residents are now fleeing their homes for the first time since the start of the Somali war in 1991."

The United Nations refugee agency says there are now more than 1.2 million displaced people in Somalia.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.

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