Second day of clashes between Somali Islamists, govt

MOGADISHU, Dec 9 (Reuters) Somali Islamists and pro-government soldiers fought in heavy clashes for a second day today, witnesses said, in the latest escalation of skirmishing many fear will erupt into all-out war.

The fighting occurred in Maddoy village about 40 km (25 miles) from the interim government's headquarters in Baidoa, the only town it controls in its own country. The two sides fought in the area yesterday, killing at least two bystanders.

''The war restarted about 30 minutes ago,'' Maddoy resident Ahmed Mohamed Adan told Reuters by telephone. ''They are shelling each other heavily.'' He said the government forces, pushed back by fighters from the Somali Islamic Courts Council (SICC) yesterday, returned to the area early today with 20 ''technicals'' -- pickup trucks mounted with heavy weapons that are Somalia's answer to tanks.

The two sides, including what residents said were Ethiopian troops backing the government, had fought in neighbouring Safar Nooley village along a front line the Islamists have set up to encircle half of Baidoa.

Ethiopia has denied any involvement, but security experts say the Horn of Africa military power has between 5,000 and 10,000 troops in the country to prop up the shaky government.

The Islamists, who rule much of southern Somalia under sharia law and want to take over the anarchic nation, have declared holy war against Ethiopia, whose troops they view as invaders.

REUTERS PB RK1345