(SomaliNet) As Ethiopian troops begun a security sweep of the violence-riven Somali capital Mogadishu, at least six Somali civilians were killed, witnesses said. An eyewitness reported that the Ethiopian troops - whose presence in Mogadishu since December has been blamed for daily insurgent attacks - opened fire and killed three people when they came under attack near the stadium. Three other civilians were killed when the insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades at Ethiopian troops patrolling a southern Mogadishu district, witnesses said.
Ethiopian forces patrolled some districts in tanks following the attacks, residents said. "The Ethiopian forces are conducting a large security operation in our neighbourhood," resident Farah Adan Sheikh told AFP. "Two tanks and several troops on foot are patrolling the Al-Baraka and Tarbunka areas," he said.