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Thousands flee Somalia fighting Thousands flee Somalia fighting
(10 minutes later)
Tens of thousands of people have fled the Somali capital, Mogadishu, after days of intense violence said to be the worst in 15 years, the UN has said.Tens of thousands of people have fled the Somali capital, Mogadishu, after days of intense violence said to be the worst in 15 years, the UN has said.
Many used a lull in the fighting to flee the city on Monday, after four days of Ethiopian troop attacks on Islamist insurgents and local militias.Many used a lull in the fighting to flee the city on Monday, after four days of Ethiopian troop attacks on Islamist insurgents and local militias.
However, hundreds of extra Ethiopian troops have also arrived in Mogadishu.However, hundreds of extra Ethiopian troops have also arrived in Mogadishu.
Hospitals have reported scores of people killed, while residents have spoken of indiscriminate shelling.Hospitals have reported scores of people killed, while residents have spoken of indiscriminate shelling.
The UN Refugee Agency said some 56,000 people fled Mogadishu in March, with most (47,000) leaving the city since 21 March.The UN Refugee Agency said some 56,000 people fled Mogadishu in March, with most (47,000) leaving the city since 21 March.
African Union (AU) peacekeepers have been unable to prevent the fighting. A total of 96,000 people left their homes during February and March, the agency said.
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. Many set off on long and dangerous journeys through areas controlled by rival clans rather than stay in the Mogadishu.
Anger at Ethiopia
Mogadishu residents emailed the BBC to express their anger at Ethiopia's operations in the city and their sadness at the latest fighting.
The security situation is making it difficult for humanitarian organisations to reach displaced people William SpindlerUN Refugee Agency
"It is really a horrible place to be, you can hear the sounds of heavy gunshots and wounded people are in a state of helplessness," Maslax Osman said.
"Thousands are fleeing carrying their belongings. Some have no money so they are in the streets crying for urgent help from other Somalis."
African Union (AU) peacekeepers have so far been unable to prevent the fighting.
AU troops are supposed to be replacing Ethiopian soldiers, who stepped in at the end of 2006 to support a Somali government campaign to oust Islamists controlling 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 But reports said that hundreds of Ethiopian reinforcements drove into Mogadishu on Sunday.
However, the independent Somali broadcaster Shabelle reported that hundreds of Ethiopian reinforcements drove into Mogadishu on Sunday, arriving in 40 trucks. Ethiopian tanks, artillery and helicopter gunships have fought against rebels and clan militiamen armed with machine guns, missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.
The clashes have 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.
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.
"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. Thousands of Somalis have been forced to flee MogadishuWilliam Spindler, of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), said on Monday that residents of Mogadishu were now faced with four-hour queues to leave the city.
William Spindler, a spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency told BBC News many who had left were in a "dire situation". Many have moved to the Lower Shabelle region around Mogadishu, he added, but at least 3,000 arrived in the Somaliland region, some 700km (435 miles) to the north.
"They have little or no access to water, food, medicines or sanitation," he said. Poor security is also hampering efforts to get help to the refugees.
"Our Somali staff in Mogadishu are trying to make their way to areas where people have fled. But the problem is that the security situation is making it difficult for humanitarian organisations to reach displaced people."
"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.