This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7074973.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Heavy battles in Somali capital Heavy battles in Somali capital
(about 5 hours later)
Very heavy fighting between Ethiopian troops and insurgents has broken out in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. Ethiopian troops supporting Somalia's interim government have been involved in fierce battles with insurgents in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.
Reports say several people have died in the morning battles taking place in three areas close to the stadium. At least five Ethiopian soldiers and seven civilians have died in fighting in areas close to the stadium.
Ethiopian forces supporting the interim government have moved in reinforcements in a bid to crush Islamist fighters. Eyewitnesses told the BBC that three of the soldiers' bodies were dragged through the streets by militiamen.
The UN says Mogadishu is facing a "humanitarian catastrophe" with some 80,000 people fleeing the fighting within the past three days. The UN says the city is facing a "humanitarian catastrophe" with some 80,000 people fleeing recent fighting.
Uncertainty Fatalities
The Ethiopian forces engaged fighters who have been conducting guerrilla-style attacks on them since the beginning of the year. On Friday morning the Ethiopian forces engaged fighters who have been conducting guerrilla-style attacks on them since the beginning of the year, in three areas close to the stadium.
Q&A: Somali conflict The insurgents are loyal to the union of Islamic courts which were expelled from Somalia after briefly controlling much of central and southern parts of the country.
Local residents were also reported as having opened fire on Ethiopian forces, with eyewitnesses saying at least five of the Ethiopian soldiers were killed.
Hospitals report treating 11 wounded civilians but it is feared that fatalities may be much higher as many of the roads in the area have been blocked off.
Correspondents said that as the day went on the heavy fighting subsided, but sporadic gunfire could still be heard.
No fresh food
Thousands of residents have been abandoning the city since intense gun battles broke out at the weekend.
Residents are fleeing on trucks, buses and donkey cartsResidents are fleeing on trucks, buses and donkey carts
The insurgents are loyal to a group of Islamic courts which were expelled from Somalia after briefly controlling much of central and southern parts of the country. The BBC's Somali Service says that this latest outbreak of fighting has left the city without fresh supplies of food as vehicles have been unable to enter the city from the south.
It is also reported that local residents have also been firing at Ethiopian forces. Earlier this week international aid agencies warned of an unfolding humanitarian crisis in parts of Somalia.
There was heavy fighting at the weekend, and according to eyewitnesses the fighting in the past few hours has been more intense and casualties have been numerous. This warning came as Somali faced further uncertainty after its prime minister, Ali Mohammed Ghedi, resigned on Monday.
International aid agencies have warned of an unfolding humanitarian crisis in parts of Somalia since the fighting began last week.
This warning came as Somali faces further uncertainty after its prime minister, Ali Mohammed Ghedi, resigned on Monday.
About 40 aid agencies working in Somalia have said the fighting has cut off their ability to respond effectively to the needs of the displaced people.About 40 aid agencies working in Somalia have said the fighting has cut off their ability to respond effectively to the needs of the displaced people.
According to the UN some 400,000 displaced people are now living in camps in towns outside Mogadishu, which include Afgooye.According to the UN some 400,000 displaced people are now living in camps in towns outside Mogadishu, which include Afgooye.
Somali's transitional government is struggling to impose it authority on the country and its forces and their Ethiopian allies face daily attacks from insurgents. Somali's transitional government is struggling to impose its authority on the country and its forces and their Ethiopian allies face daily attacks from insurgents.