Ongoing clashes between government forces and insurgents have uprooted another 26,000 people from the Somali capital of Mogadishu in the past five days, the UN refugee agency said on Thursday.

Some 160,000 people have been displaced by the fighting that has been taking place since early May between government troops and the opposition Al-Shabaab and Hisb-ul-Islam groups, said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

According to UNHCR, the majority of the displaced are women and children, who are facing extremely difficult circumstances.

Women are particularly vulnerable, with reports of rape and sexual exploitation during their flight and in places of refuge.

In addition, the independent UN expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia Shamsul Bari said last week that the recruitment of children by armed groups has reportedly been taking place.

"I was told during my recent visit to the region that there are specific well-organized camps set up to receive young boys, and that children are being used on the front line," he stated.

The worsening security situation is making it more difficult for aid agencies to reach and help those in need of urgent assistance, the UN agency said.

The UN and its international partners have condemned the recent violence in the Horn of Africa nation.

Last week, the UN Security Council voiced its concern at the situation there, reiterating its support for the Transitional Federal Government and its efforts to achieve peace, security and reconciliation in Somalia.

Source: Xinhua