Scores of Somali civilians have fled their homes as fighting intensifies between African Union troops and insurgents in the capital. Officials say an estimated 16,000 people have left their homes in Mogadishu for safer places. Mogadishu has been the scene of escalating violence since Monday after the city came under attack by insurgents who fired mortars at the capital's main airport and the presidential palace. They also fired mortars at the AU base in south of the city.
On Tuesday, some 60 civilians were killed in the crossfire between AU soldiers and militants at Mogadishu's Bakara market.
According to a Press TV reporter in Mogadishu, the sounds of deafening gunfire could be heard throughout the city and civilians were fleeing their homes on minibuses, donkey carts or on foot.
"I am moving because I cannot endure the sound of the mortar fire. I don't know where to move to but I'm looking for a peaceful place for my family to live in," a Mogadishu resident said.
"I have escaped from my house because throughout last night artillery shells had been pounding on us," another resident said.