The Elman Human Rights Organization says that 113 civilians have been killed in Mogadishu in the past three days, as the ongoing violence between the government forces and the al-Shabab led insurgency escalated. Government officials condemned the insurgents as “anarchists,” and the United Nations slammed them as “irresponsible” for refusing to back what they called “a legitimate, internationally recognized government.”

The group said roughly 10,000 civilians fled the capital today alone, joining another 17,200 who had fled their homes since Saturday. They estimated the number of wounded civilians at around 345.

The current Somali government has been in power for over three years, coming to the nation after being booted from Kenyan hotels for failure to pay their bills. It nearly collapsed in December when the Ethiopian military ended its occupation of the nation, but has managed to hold on since Islamist Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed took over as president.

Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz

• Report: 70 Killed in Fighting in Syria's Homs - May 25th, 2012
• Egypt Votes: Muslim Brotherhood Candidate and Mubarak Remnant Poised for Runoff - May 25th, 2012
• Move to Dismiss 10 Counts in Bradley Manning Trial - May 24th, 2012
• Nigeria to US: Don't List Boko Haram as 'Terrorists' - May 24th, 2012
• Yemen: 35 'al-Qaeda' Killed in Attack on Southern Town - May 24th, 2012