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Shooting at captured Somali port Shooting at captured Somali port
(about 1 hour later)
Islamist guards have opened fire at Somalis protesting at the takeover of the key port of Kismayo - the country's third largest city.Islamist guards have opened fire at Somalis protesting at the takeover of the key port of Kismayo - the country's third largest city.
Three deaths are being reported after some residents burnt tyres, chanted anti-Islamist slogans and threw stones.Three deaths are being reported after some residents burnt tyres, chanted anti-Islamist slogans and threw stones.
Earlier an Islamist leader spoke at a rally which passed off peacefully.Earlier an Islamist leader spoke at a rally which passed off peacefully.
The last southern Somali port outside the Islamic Courts (UIC) movement's control fell overnight as the defence minister's militia withdrew.The last southern Somali port outside the Islamic Courts (UIC) movement's control fell overnight as the defence minister's militia withdrew.
An MP told the Somali service that three people had died. Some of the protesters had been seen burning Islamic head-dresses.An MP told the Somali service that three people had died. Some of the protesters had been seen burning Islamic head-dresses.
A local journalist said the Islamic militia had taken control of the whole city - the airport, the sea port and the building where Kismayo's former ruler, Defence Minister Barre Hiraale had been based.A local journalist said the Islamic militia had taken control of the whole city - the airport, the sea port and the building where Kismayo's former ruler, Defence Minister Barre Hiraale had been based.
TroopsTroops
Witnesses told AFP news agency they had seen more than 600 Islamist gunmen on about 50 "battlewagons" - machine-gun mounted pick-ups also known as "technicals" - heading toward Kismayo on Sunday Meanwhile, eyewitnesses report that hundreds of Ethiopian troops have crossed the border, heading for Baidoa - the only town controlled by the internationally recognised government.
The UIC had said it would occupy Kismayo to stop a foreign peacekeeping force using it as a bridgehead. Ethiopia supports the administration of President Abdullahi Yusuf but has denied several previous reports that its troops are in Baidoa.
Earlier this month, the African Union agreed to a request by Somalia's transitional government, which controls only a small part of the country, to send in a regional peacekeeping force.
Kismayo had been seen as a possible landing point for the peacekeepers.
Witnesses told AFP news agency they had seen more than 600 Islamist gunmen on about 50 "battlewagons" - machine-gun mounted pick-ups also known as "technicals" - heading toward Kismayo on Sunday.
Thousands of people are reported to have fled the city in recent days.Thousands of people are reported to have fled the city in recent days.
Earlier reports said that thousands of people had gathered in the town, chanting "God is great" to welcome the UIC fighters.Earlier reports said that thousands of people had gathered in the town, chanting "God is great" to welcome the UIC fighters.
Earlier this month, the African Union agreed to a request by Somalia's transitional government, which controls only a small part of the country, to send in a regional peacekeeping force.
The UIC has steadily increased its hold on Somalia since its fighters took control of the capital, Mogadishu, in June, taking control of hundreds of square kilometres of territory while hardly firing a shot.The UIC has steadily increased its hold on Somalia since its fighters took control of the capital, Mogadishu, in June, taking control of hundreds of square kilometres of territory while hardly firing a shot.
The country's transitional government is confined to a single town, Baidoa, and its president was the victim of a recent assassination attempt.
However, it remains recognised internationally as the sovereign authority of Somalia, which has not had an effective national government for 15 years.
'Ceasefire breached''Ceasefire breached'
The local militia in Kismayo was led by Mr Hiraale of the Juba Valley Alliance.The local militia in Kismayo was led by Mr Hiraale of the Juba Valley Alliance.
Government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying any attack on Kismayo would breach a ceasefire deal between the administration and the Islamists agreed during recent talks in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.Government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying any attack on Kismayo would breach a ceasefire deal between the administration and the Islamists agreed during recent talks in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.
"We're requesting that the international community pressurise the UIC to stop attacking," he said."We're requesting that the international community pressurise the UIC to stop attacking," he said.
The talks were due to resume later this month.The talks were due to resume later this month.
BBC Africa analyst David Bamford says the UIC insists it is a force for unity and stability in Somalia after years of division under the warlords. BBC Africa analyst David Bamford says the UIC insists it is a force for unity and stability in Somalia, which has not had an effective national government for 15 years.
But he adds that in recent weeks, its case has been severely tested as Islamist militants within their ranks have closed down cinemas and prevented Somali women working for non-governmental organisations.But he adds that in recent weeks, its case has been severely tested as Islamist militants within their ranks have closed down cinemas and prevented Somali women working for non-governmental organisations.
The killings of a Western journalist and an elderly Italian nun have also raised concern. The killings of a Western journalist and an elderly Italian nun and an assassination attempt on President Yusuf have also raised concern.