More bloodshed feared as rebels rush to Mogadishu

By Abdi Sheikh and Abdi Guled

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Rebel reinforcements rushed to Mogadishu Saturday to confront a government offensive after one of the bloodiest days of combat in the Somali capital in months.

"The fighting in Mogadishu will intensify the coming days," an opposition source said.

At least 45 people were killed and 200 wounded Friday in clashes between Islamist insurgents and pro-government forces.

Neighbouring states and Western governments fear Somalia, which has been mired in civil war for 18 years, could become a haven for militants linked to al Qaeda unless the new government can defeat them.

Islamist insurgents took up arms in 2007 to drive out invading Ethiopian troops propping up a Western-backed government which failed to wield any control over swathes of the Horn of Africa nation.

Since then, fighting has killed at least 17,700 civilians and driven more than 1 million from their homes. About 3 million Somalis survive on emergency food aid.

The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR says 49,000 people have fled fighting in Mogadishu in the past two weeks.

Al Shabaab, which Washington says has close ties to al Qaeda, and Islamist guerrilla group Hizbul Islam have been spearheading attacks on the government, allied militia and African Union peacekeepers.