MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Police and protesters exchanged fire in Mogadishu on Saturday, killing at least one person, a government source said, as hundreds of Somalis demonstrated against Ethiopian troops and a disarmament drive.
Protesters hurled stones and burnt tyres, wreathing streets in smoke and reviving memories of the chaos that had largely stopped during six months of strict Islamist rule.
"Protesters shot at policemen, the police returned fire killing one man," a government source said. "I don't know how many people have been wounded."
A witness said three people had been killed and that Ethiopian troops had opened fire.
"The Ethiopians opened fire and shot dead a young boy and a lady, they also killed another person," the witness said.
In the latest show of discontent with the forces that ousted the Islamists, hundreds of Somalis marched through the capital chanting "Down with Ethiopia". Women waved the Koran while witnesses said children were among the demonstrators.
Ethiopian soldiers fired in the air to disperse crowds and government troops armed with AK-47s patrolled the streets.
Somalia's interim government wants to install itself in Mogadishu, one of the world's most dangerous cities, after ousting the Islamists last week with the help of Ethiopian tanks, troops and warplanes.
Within hours of the Islamists fleeing, militiamen loyal to warlords reappeared at checkpoints in the city where they used to rob and terrorise civilians. Their return showed how easily Mogadishu could slide back into the anarchy and clan violence that has gripped the city since the 1991 ouster of a dictator.
"We are against the Ethiopian troops' occupation. We don't want them, they should leave," 20-year-old protester Ahmed Mohamed told Reuters. "They are harassing us in our own country. The government is imposing the Ethiopians on us."
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"Protesters shot at policemen, the police returned fire killing one man," a government source said. "I don't know how many people have been wounded."
"The Ethiopians opened fire and shot dead a young boy and a lady, they also killed another person," the witness said.
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You will be commemorate as true Mujahideens, brave Patriots and Great Hawiye persons.
Your death will not be for nothing, your dead has awakened the people of Mogadishu.
We will wipe the Tigre's and their puppets from Mogadishu and the rest of Somalia.
Tigre's have started something they cannot finish...we will defeat you, sooner or latter.
Long live to the freedom-loving Patriots and Mujahideen
Death to Tigre's and their b.itch-soldiers from puntland
"
