Mogadishu, Somalia, 8 June 2008 - Government soldiers' artillery fire has destroyed the largest telecommunications network in Somalia rendering all cellular phones useless.

The main market in the Somali capital Mogadishu, the Bakara market, came under the Ethiopian and Somali troops' artillery fire which killed 13 civilians and shattered the Hormut Telecom building in Somalia, Press TV correspondent reported.

The troops were said to have been stationed in the country's presidential palace from which they launched their attack.

Meanwhile, insurgents trying to force the soldiers, who had raided the market, into a retreat captured six Ethiopians including two officers.

Authorities in the Medina, Keydsaney and Dayniile hospitals in the capital are having a hard time giving medical care to the increasing number of casualties from the attacks.

In the absence of a central administration in Somalia, the Ethiopian-backed interim government has been maintaining an uneasy control over the war-battered country.

Source: Press TV