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Heavy gunfire near Somali airport Heavy gunfire near Somali airport
(about 2 hours later)
Heavy fighting has broken out on the road to the airport in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, near where African Union (AU) peacekeepers are based.Heavy fighting has broken out on the road to the airport in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, near where African Union (AU) peacekeepers are based.
A witness told the BBC there were also clashes near the strategic K-4 junction and that mortars were being used.A witness told the BBC there were also clashes near the strategic K-4 junction and that mortars were being used.
Thursday's fighting involved insurgents battling peacekeepers and government troops, according to reports. At least five people, including two soldiers, have been killed, residents and doctors say.
Militants have targeted the airport in recent weeks as they battle government troops and their Ethiopian allies. Insurgents have targeted the airport in recent weeks as they battle government troops and their Ethiopian allies.
They have labelled it as a tool of Ethiopia's "occupation" of Somalia and forced it to close for several days last month by threatening to stop flights.They have labelled it as a tool of Ethiopia's "occupation" of Somalia and forced it to close for several days last month by threatening to stop flights.
The AU peacekeeping force has also been increasingly targeted.The AU peacekeeping force has also been increasingly targeted.
The K-4 junction is strategically placed in the south of the city linking the airport and the presidential palace, where AU peacekeepers are also based.The K-4 junction is strategically placed in the south of the city linking the airport and the presidential palace, where AU peacekeepers are also based.
The witness said he could see houses on fire, and heavy gunfire could be heard in the background.The witness said he could see houses on fire, and heavy gunfire could be heard in the background.
Somalia has been without a functioning government since President Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted in 1991.Somalia has been without a functioning government since President Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted in 1991.
Ethiopian troops helped the government push Islamist forces from control of central and southern Somalia in late 2006, triggering an insurgency.Ethiopian troops helped the government push Islamist forces from control of central and southern Somalia in late 2006, triggering an insurgency.
'Threat''Threat'
On Thursday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Ethiopia would review its position in the coming months, but would stay longer if Somali politicians showed "readiness for peace".On Thursday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Ethiopia would review its position in the coming months, but would stay longer if Somali politicians showed "readiness for peace".
Even if Ethiopian troops left, he said, they could still return if the powerful Islamist militia al-Shabab threatened to take power.Even if Ethiopian troops left, he said, they could still return if the powerful Islamist militia al-Shabab threatened to take power.
"Whenever there's a threat posed, we will come back to break their backs," he said."Whenever there's a threat posed, we will come back to break their backs," he said.
"Any government is preferable to the Shabab. It's in the interest of Ethiopia and the Somali people to prevent them from coming to power.""Any government is preferable to the Shabab. It's in the interest of Ethiopia and the Somali people to prevent them from coming to power."
More than three million people - almost half of Somalia's population - need food aid, according to the UN.More than three million people - almost half of Somalia's population - need food aid, according to the UN.
Aid agencies recently estimated that 1.1 million people had been uprooted from Mogadishu over the last nine months.Aid agencies recently estimated that 1.1 million people had been uprooted from Mogadishu over the last nine months.
Last weekend, Burundi deployed more than 800 peacekeepers to Somalia, boosting the strength of the AU force to just over 3,000.Last weekend, Burundi deployed more than 800 peacekeepers to Somalia, boosting the strength of the AU force to just over 3,000.
But the mission, which is made up of troops from Uganda and Burundi, remains well below the force of 8,000 that the AU originally said it would deploy.But the mission, which is made up of troops from Uganda and Burundi, remains well below the force of 8,000 that the AU originally said it would deploy.
Mr Meles said Ethiopian troops would remain in Somalia "at least until the African peace force is fully deployed."Mr Meles said Ethiopian troops would remain in Somalia "at least until the African peace force is fully deployed."