Three killed, 11 wounded as Somali soldiers break up pro-peace demonstration in Mogadishu

Somali soldiers opened fire to break up a pro-peace demonstration in Mogadishu on Tuesday, sparking an exchange with other government forces that left three people dead and 11 wounded.

Officials and witnesses said the hundreds-strong march organized by the local authorities was interrupted when soldiers tried to disperse the crowd by opening fire, drawing return fire from the protest's security escort.

"The protestors had peacefully walked a block away from the presidential palace when members of the military opened fire in a bid to disperse the crowd," Mohamed Abshir, a Somali security officer, told AFP. "A civilian and two Somali security personnel were killed and at least 11 other civilians injured," he added. "We still don't know why those security forces tried to break up the demonstration."

The demonstration was organized by members of the Mogadishu local administration, including the Somali capital's mayor, to support peace efforts and the beleaguered transitional federal government, participants said.