Somali and Ethiopian Soldiers Accused of War Crimes

Human Rights Watch released a new report today which accuses both the Somali insurgents and Ethiopian military of war crimes. The Somali forces' violations include:

the indiscriminate firing of mortar rounds into civilian areas; deployment of forces in densely populated neighborhoods; targeted killings of civilian officials of the transitional Somali government; and summary executions and mutilation of the bodies of captured combatants.

The Ethiopians on the other hand are said to have

violated the laws of war by widely and indiscriminately bombarding highly populated areas of Mogadishu with rockets, mortars and artillery. Its troops on several occasions specifically targeted hospitals and looted them of desperately needed medical equipment. Human Rights Watch also documented cases of Ethiopian forces deliberately shooting and summarily executing civilians.

Naturally, both sides deny that they have committed any violations. Meanwhile, the violence continues as at least 9 people died today in Mogadishu from gunfire and a roadside bomb. Somalia has not had a central government since 1991 and is being hailed as "the new Iraq" by diplomats.