African peacekeepers open 9 more bases in Somalia

A person is treated at Medina hospital in Mogadishu Somalia, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010. Medical officials and witnesses say a roadside bomb in Somalia has killed and wounded scores of people who were riding on a bus in the capital. Ahmed Adma, the driver of the bus, said blood and body parts were scattered everywhere after the blast. The driver lost consciousness after the explosion but was not seriously hurt. (AP Photo/Mohamed Sheikh Nor)

African peacekeepers open 9 more bases in Somalia

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - African Union peacekeepers say they have established nine new bases in Somalia's capital over the last several months.

The announcement Friday follows days of bloody clashes in Mogadishu that have claimed dozens of lives.

The deputy head of the AU commission on Somalia says the peacekeepers have established nine new bases over the past five months.

Wafula Wamunyinyi says the bases have helped secure a key road linking government buildings with Mogadishu's port and airport.

The area has been the scene of fierce fighting in recent days and Wamunyinyi estimated around 300 insurgents have been killed.

Fighters with al-Shabab, a militia that has links with al-Qaida, are trying to overthrow the weak Somali government.