Somalis demand that Ethiopians leave

Hundreds of protesters demanding the departure of government-allied Ethiopian troops burned tires and threw stones yesterday in the Somali capital as some of the worst violence in months continued for a second day.

Two demonstrators were wounded when Ethiopian troops fired toward protesters after several hundred Somalis — many of them women and children — took to the streets shouting anti-Ethiopian slogans, erecting burning barricades and tossing rocks, witnesses said.

"We will resist them — for our country, our religion, our honor," said demonstrator Ahmed Hussein.

Meanwhile, at least two bodies were seen in the streets following a second day of clashes Sunday between Islamic insurgents who have been fighting Ethiopian and Somali government forces.

Hospital staff and residents said it was the heaviest fighting in months.