Exodus from Mogadishu after deadly attacks

[Burco Boss]

Mogadishu, Feb 24: Thousands of terrified civilians poured out of the Somali capital Saturday after heavy fighting between Ethiopian troops and gunmen overnight left at least 10 people dead.

"I was very scared yesterday after I heard the heaviest explosion ever in the capital," Adan Dirir bare, a resident of southern Mogadishu, told agencies.

"I had insisted a lot on staying in Mogadishu but not now."

In an atmosphere of panic, some residents scrambled into passenger vans while most just grabbed household items and left on foot for the relative calm of the surrounding countryside where food is scarce.

A mother of five, Sahro Ali Mohamed, said houses in her Mogadishu neighbourhood were deserted.

"People cannot endure the heavy artillery and mortar exchange that kills people every time," she said as she left with her family in tow.

Five children were among the dead from last night's clashes, apparently killed when caught in crossfire witnesses said.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Saturday issued a plea to all warring parties to comply with the rules of International Humanitarian Law to protect civilians.

It urged them "to take constant care in the conduct of military operations to safeguard the lives and dignity of the civilian population."