MOGADISHU, March 22: Somali troops and their Ethiopian allies exchanged heavy mortar and machinegun fire with insurgents here on Thursday as terrified residents streamed out of the Somali capital fearing a wider war.

A day after at least 14 people were killed, including soldiers who were dragged and burned in the streets, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi ordered civilians to leave areas in southern Mogadishu “for security reasons”.

But as residents fled the south heavy exchanges of mortar and machinegun fire broke out in previously calm areas of northern Mogadishu.

“Heavy artillery shells are being used by the government forces and the rebels. We are inside our houses and very scared. There are stray bullets everywhere,” said Bashir Mohamed, a resident of the northern Gupta neighbourhood.

“At least four people have been injured by stray bullets,” said northern resident Ali Hassan Aden. —AFP