MOGADISHU, Somalia, April 23 (UPI) -- At least five civilians were killed in Mogadishu Monday as Somali and Ethiopian troops battled with insurgents and clan militias in the Somali capital.
Witnesses told the Shabelle Media Network that the victims were hit by stray bullets as they fled the fifth straight day of fighting in the Somali capital.
Somalia's transitional government is intent on pacifying the capital, Deputy Defense Minister Salad Alai Jelle told reporters Sunday. He said remaining residents should leave their homes.
Shabelle reported that Ethiopian military forces fired rockets Monday from the presidential palace toward insurgent strongholds.
A Hawiye clan political leader, Abdulahi Sheik Ismail, told Shabelle Monday that clan leaders and Ethiopian officers were holding ceasefire talks.
