Somali troops are battling rebels for a second day in the capital Mogadishu.

A rocket-propelled grenade attack and gunfight targeting African Union peacekeepers today has killed at least 10 civilians and wounded two soldiers in Somalia's capital Mogadishu.

The first peacekeepers to arrive in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu in more than 10 years were met with a surge of violence today, as mortars hit the airport during a welcoming ceremony and a deadly gunbattle broke out on the city’s crumbling streets.

Ethiopian troops who helped Somalia’s government drive out a radical Islamic militia last month began withdrawing from the Horn of Africa nation today, a Somali government spokesman said.

A top leader of Somalia's ousted Islamic movement, apparently afraid for his life now that the once-powerful militia has been chased into hiding, surrendered to authorities and is in custody in neighbouring Kenya, officials said today.

Somali and Ethiopian forces skirmished with Islamic militiamen in southern Somalia Thursday, as US troops on the ground hunted for al-Qaida suspects.

Somalia’s prime minister today said he does not expect any more major fighting against rival Islamic fighters and his Ethiopian military backer described the operation as within weeks of being completed.

A militant Islamist movement fled from rapidly advancing government forces into a rugged, forested corner of Somalia, as the prime minister offered an amnesty if they surrendered.

SOMALI Government troops backed by Ethiopian soldiers have entered Kismayo, the last major stronghold of a militant Islamic movement, residents said yesterday.

Somali government troops backed by Ethiopian soldiers have entered Kismayo, the last major stronghold of a militant Islamic movement, residents said today.

Fighting erupted today on the outskirts of Somalia's militant Islamic movement's last remaining stronghold as thousands fled advancing Ethiopian troops supported by tanks and MiG fighter jets.

The prime minister promised thousands of cheering Somalis peace and stability after he drove through battle-scarred Mogadishu in an armed convoy, a day after an Islamic movement’s fighters abandoned the capital ahead of his Ethiopian-backed troops.

Somali government troops rolled into Mogadishu unopposed today, the prime minister said, hours after an Islamic movement that tried to establish a government based on the Koran abandoned the capital and promised to make a stand in southern Somalia.

Somalia's Islamic movement abandoned the nation's capital today and clan militiamen poured into the streets to take control of Mogadishu, as government forces approached to within 18 miles.

Somalia’s Islamic movement abandoned the nation’s capital today and clan militiamen poured into the streets to take control as government forces came within 18 miles.

Ethiopian and Somali government troops today entered the strategic city of Jowhar, the last major town on the northern road to the capital, routing Islamic militiamen and forcing them to retreat.

Islamic fighters were in a tactical retreat today after suffering massive casualties as government and Ethiopian troops advanced for control of Somalia, Ethiopia’s prime minister said.

Ethiopian jets dominated Somalia’s skies today and bombed the country’s two main airports while ground troops captured a strategic village.

Ethiopian fighter jets bombed Mogadishu International Airport in the middle of Somalia’s capital today.

Ethiopian fighter jets bombarded the Somali town of Belet Weyne today in a sharp escalation in violence that is threatening to engulf the volatile Horn of Africa.

Thousands of Somalis fled their homes today as government and Ethiopians troops used artillery to defend against Islamic fighters attempting to advance on the UN-backed regime’s only stronghold.

Fighting broke out today between Somalia’s government troops and rival Islamic militia near where an EU envoy was meeting with senior leaders to press for peace talks.

Somalia’s president today said peace talks with the country’s Islamic movement are no longer an option because the group’s leaders have declared war on his government.

The top UN official for Somalia today called on the world to do everything possible to prevent war in Somalia and help 1.8 million people there in dire need of help.

Hundreds of Ethiopian troops reinforced Somalia’s transitional government today, hours after Ethiopia’s prime minister said his country was ready for war with an Islamic movement that has become the most powerful force in Somalia.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi today said his country has completed its preparations for a potential attack by Islamic militants from neighbouring Somalia, who have declared a holy war on his country.

Hundreds of Ethiopian troops were patrolling the road that leads to Somalia’s government headquarters after a brief but intense battle in the area this week, witnesses said today.