MOGADISHU: Terrified residents fled the Somali capital today, following a day of fierce fighting between government forces and hardline Islamist rebels that left at least 31 people dead.

Most killed in Friday’s exchanges were civilians trapped in the crossfire or claimed by mortars. As soon as things calmed down many inhabitants packed up and left Mogadishu, some on horse carts heading to camps outside the city.

“The city is quiet this morning and many people are fleeing to avoid upcoming attacks, I think the government is planning a further offensive,” said Somali police officer Colonel Mohamed Adan.

A witness, Abdulahi Warsameh, corroborated his information, saying, “Many residents have emptied their houses in Wardhigley because they fear new clashes.”

Government forces encountered fierce resistance as they tried unsuccessfully to drive the Islamist insurgents from the capital.

With President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed holed up in his compound with a handful of supporters and under African Union peacekeepers’ protection, his embattled forces attacked insurgents in three positions they had lost in two weeks of fighting that have now killed close to 150 people.

A toll compiled by AFP from medical sources, security officials and witnesses put the number of killed on Friday alone at 29, including a young local journalist.

A resident today provided new information pushing up the toll. “We found the bodies of two civilians in the contested areas; they were caught in the crossfire,” said Mubarak Hassan.

Aid agencies said as of Friday afternoon the two weeks of fighting had displaced 49,000 people.