Somalia fighting spreads, at least 9 more dead

MOGADISHU, May 25 (Reuters) A new flare-up between rival militias spread across Somalia's lawless capital Mogadishu today, killing another nine people, eyewitnesses said.

Mortars and bullets were flying in various parts of south Mogadishu, as militia linked to Islamic courts again squared off with fighters for a self-styled anti-terrorism coalition of warlords, residents said.

The battle for control of Mogadishu has been on-and-off between the two groups since the turn of the year -- killing at least 270 people -- but the latest and fiercest fighting had been in the city's north.

Residents said, however, that it spread to southern districts from early today morning.

Scores were fleeing the fighting, and the streets were full of terrified old people and children, witnesses told Reuters.

''We brought my child to the Hanana medical clinic this morning, two minutes later the horrible shootings began, and our lives were in danger,'' said Halima Jama, a mother-of-three.

This year's fighting in Mogadishu has been the worst for years in Somalia, which has been without a functioning government since the 1991 toppling of former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

The militia linked to the Islamic sharia courts say their warlord enemies are being funded by the United States, an accusation that is believed by many Somalis and some analysts.

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