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MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Four days of fierce fighting between Ethiopian-backed government forces and Islamic insurgents has killed 381 people, a local human rights organization said Monday, as the government warned residents to abandon their homes ahead of a new military offensive.
"For the last four days we have registered 381 deaths and 565 people wounded," said Sudan Ali Ahmed, chairman of Elman Human Rights Organization.
ON DEADLINE: Background, Q-and-A on why thousands are fleeing
The fragile Somali government backed by Ethiopian forces called on civilians in the capital to leave their homes in disputed areas ahead of a new military offensive against a lethal Islamic insurgency.
Salad Ali Jelle, the deputy defense minister, said the government does not recognize a cease-fire negotiated between Ethiopian military and clan elders.
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"We call on the civilians living in terrorist-held areas in Mogadishu to abandon their houses because it is possible that government troops may target these areas any time," Jelle said. "We have to clean al-Qaeda elements from Mogadishu."
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