Somali gunmen ambush Ethiopian convoy in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, (AFP)

A convoy of Ethiopian tanks and armoured vehicles was ambushed in southern Mogadishu on Saturday, triggering a major firefight in the Somali capital, witnesses said.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties in the clashes which came after a late night attack on the residence of interim President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed.

"I saw a load of gunmen ambushing an Ethiopian military convoy," said Ali Moalim Hashi.

"The Ethiopian forces immediately returned fire and there was fighting." Another resident, Mohamed Sheikh Dahil, said that it appeared as if the attackers were able to escape after they launched their assault. "When the Ethiopian tanks were attacked, they were forced to open fire in defence. There was fighting but the gunmen fled," he said.