On February 23, in Somalia, in the clashes between troops of the African Union (AMISOM) and the militant Islamist group al-Shabab, 50 people were killed, about 20 of which were civilians, reported Lenta.ru citing Agence France-Presse.

The African Union mission has been operating in Somalia since the early 1990’s, when the country ceased to exist as a unified state. Part of the territory is controlled by Islamists the other part is under control of unrecognized quasi-governments.

Peacemaking organization has about five thousand men. Central government tries to control the southern areas of the country, but peacekeepers regularly clash with Islamist insurgents. Somali gunmen also organize terrorist acts in countries of the African Union, demanding to withdraw its troops.