Warring parties in Somalia urged to restrain in fighting

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Friday urged all warring parties in Somalia to restrain in the fighting and comply with the rules of

international humanitarian law.

All the warring parties should "comply with the rules of international humanitarian law and take constant care in the conduct of military operations to safeguard the lives and dignity of the wounded, the sick, the prisoners and the civilian population," said the ICRC and the Somali Red Crescent Society ( SRCS) in a joint press release.

The ICRC and the SRCS said they were alarmed by the heavy loss of life and the suffering of civilians in the upsurge of violent and indiscriminate armed clashes in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia.

According to the release, since clashes first erupted in the country on February 18, there have been more than 300 deaths, and 1,500 wounded have been treated in hospital.

It added that on Thursday, hospitals in Mogadishu, particularly the SRCS-run Keysaney hospital and the Medina hospital, had admitted more than 150 wounded, including women and children.

The ICRC estimated that dozens of people have been killed on the day.

The release also stated that it is imperative for all parties in the conflict to take all feasible measures to protect medical staff, medical facilities and vehicles being used to transport the wounded and sick, thus enabling them to carry out their much- needed humanitarian activities.

Source: Xinhua