Hundreds of extra troops have arrived in the Somali capital Mogadishu to reinforce the Ethiopian military's offensive against Islamist rebels.
Hundreds of extra Ethiopian troops have arrived in the Somali capital Mogadishu to reinforce a military offensive against Islamist rebels and insurgents.
Scores of Somalis are feared to have died since the fighting flared on Thursday. Residents say they are being shelled indiscriminately.
Scores of Somalis are feared to have died since the fighting flared on Thursday. Residents say they are being shelled indiscriminately.
Aid agencies say thousands of people are fleeing the city, while hospitals struggle to cope with the wounded.
Aid agencies say thousands of people are fleeing the city, while hospitals struggle to cope with the wounded.
Attempts to negotiate a truce at the weekend failed to stop the violence.
Attempts to negotiate a truce at the weekend failed to stop the violence.
African Union (AU) peacekeepers have been unable to prevent the fighting either.
African Union (AU) peacekeepers have been unable to prevent the fighting.
A Ugandan soldier became the first of their number to be killed in Somalia since they arrived last month, after the AU base was hit by mortar fire on Saturday.
A Ugandan soldier became the first of their number to be killed in Somalia since they arrived last month, after the AU base was hit by mortar fire on Saturday.
AU troops are supposed to be replacing Ethiopian soldiers, who stepped in at the end of last year, in support of the Somali government, to oust Islamists who had taken control of the capital.
AU troops are supposed to be replacing Ethiopian soldiers, who stepped in at the end of last year, in support of the Somali government, to oust Islamists who had taken control of the capital.
Last week Ethiopia said two-thirds of its troops had withdrawn from Somalia, and the rest would leave in consultation with the African Union.
Last week Ethiopia said two-thirds of its troops had withdrawn from Somalia, and the rest would leave in consultation with the African Union.
Thousands of Somalis have been forced to flee Mogadishu
Thousands of Somalis have been forced to flee Mogadishu
However, the independent Somali broadcaster Shabelle reported that hundreds of Ethiopian reinforcements drove into Mogadishu on Sunday, arriving in 40 trucks.
However, the independent Somali broadcaster Shabelle reported that hundreds of Ethiopian reinforcements drove into Mogadishu on Sunday, arriving in 40 trucks.
They are set to join clashes pitting Ethiopian tanks, artillery and helicopter gunships against rebels and clan militiamen armed with machine guns, missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.
They are set to join clashes pitting Ethiopian tanks, artillery and helicopter gunships against rebels and clan militiamen armed with machine guns, missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.
Many civilians have been caught in the middle.
Many civilians have been caught in the middle.
Hussein Ali Mohamed, 13, said he was doing schoolwork at home when a mortar hit his house and blew his leg off.
Hussein Ali Mohamed, 13, said he was doing schoolwork at home when a mortar hit his house and blew his leg off.
"They had to bury my leg," he told the Associated Press from Medina Hospital.
"They had to bury my leg," he told the Associated Press from Medina Hospital.
"I will never forgive the people who did it, I will never be able to play with my friends again."
"I will never forgive the people who did it, I will never be able to play with my friends again."
'Dire situation'
'Dire situation'
The Red Cross has said the fighting is the worst seen in Mogadishu for 15 years.
The Red Cross has said the fighting is the worst seen in Mogadishu for 15 years.
It is so bad that residents used to living in one of the world's most dangerous cities have been forced to get out.
It is so bad that residents used to living in one of the world's most dangerous cities have been forced to get out.
Some 30,000 people are estimated to have fled in the past month, William Spindler, a spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency told BBC News.
Some 30,000 people are estimated to have fled in the past month, William Spindler, a spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency told BBC News.
"And they're in a pretty dire situation," he said. "They have little or no access to water, food, medicines or sanitation."
"And they're in a pretty dire situation," he said. "They have little or no access to water, food, medicines or sanitation."
Despite the fighting, Somalia's interim government says it still plans to go ahead with a reconciliation meeting of elders, politicians and former warlords in two weeks' time.
Despite the fighting, Somalia's interim government says it still plans to go ahead with a reconciliation meeting of elders, politicians and former warlords in two weeks' time.
The government has not been able to impose control over the country, which has been anarchic and rudderless since 1991, when ruler Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown.
The government has not been able to impose control over the country, which has been anarchic and rudderless since 1991, when ruler Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown.
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Are you in Mogadishu? If you would be willing to speak to the BBC News website about the situation in the city, please use the form below to send us your contact details.
