Mogadishu, Somalia, 19 April 2008 - At least 27 people, including nine Ethiopian soldiers and seven insurgents, have been killed in fierce fighting in the Somali's capital of Mogadishu early Saturday.

"Ethiopian soldiers walking in numbers have spread into our neighborhood of Towfiq this morning, and that has sparked deadly clashes between them and the insurgents," resident Muna Abdi Ibrahim said from Mogadishu.

He said it appeared that the insurgents had ambushed the soldiers, who entered the area on foot.

Ethiopia's army invaded Somalia in December 2006 and deposed the government. Ethiopian troops have remained to support interim government as it battles insurgents.

Abdi Rahim Isa Adow, a representative for the insurgents , confirmed that seven fighters had been killed but said that "a large number of Ethiopian soldiers" had also been killed.

Among the dead were 11 civilians, five of whom were killed at a tea bar in the northern part of the city by an artillery strike.

Source: Press TV