Militia and fighters for a self-styled "anti-terrorism" alliance of warlords battled for a second day on Monday in Somalia's lawless capital, bringing the death-toll to at least 19, residents said.
With hospitals taking in new casualties and gunshots echoing round the bullet-scarred streets of Mogadishu's poor Siisii area, many people were fleeing in fear of another major flare-up between the two warring factions.
Two previous battles in February and March this year killed some 90 people, with US cash thought by many to be funding the warlords opposing the militia linked to Islamic courts.
Hospital sources and Mogadishu residents told Reuters a further eight people - including three civilians - had died in fighting on Monday, adding to 11 on Sunday.
Nearly 30 people have been wounded, they said.