At least 13 civilians were killed on Tuesday in fighting that erupted after Islamist insurgents attacked bases housing Somali, Ethiopian and African Union forces in Mogadishu, residents said.
The fatalities occurred in three southern neighbourhoods of the Somali capital after more than two hours of clashes punctuated by machine-gun fire, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.
A mortar shell landed in a house in K4 district, killing six family members, after fighting erupted when insurgents attacked AU peacekeepers and Somali forces camped in the area.
"Six family members were killed when a mortar shell landed in their house. We do not have a place to take them now because every street was closed," Ahmed Ali Nur, a family member, told AFP .
Amina Moalim Dahir, a resident of Bulohube district, said a woman and three children died when a mortar crashed into their houses when another batch of rebels attacked an Ethiopian army base nearby.
Four children were killed in Waberi district in artillery duels between the Ethiopians and the rebels, bringing the death toll to 13.
"I lost two children when a mortar shell landed in my house. Seven people were wounded in my house," said Halima Aden, woman who was injured by shrapnel.
Another Waberi resident, Abdikadir Nunow, said: "Two children, aged between seven and 12, were killed in crossfire."
Several other civilians were wounded, with fears that long-range shells might have caused deaths elsewhere, the residents said.