Second Day Of Clashes Between Somali Islamists, Gov't (Sahal Abdulle)

  By Sahal Abdulle

  MOGADISHU, Dec 9 (Reuters) -- Somali Islamists and pro-government soldiers shelled each other in a second day of fighting Saturday, witnesses said, a major escalation of violence 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 Friday, 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 government forces and Ethiopian troops, pushed back by fighters from the Somali Islamic Courts Council (SICC) on Friday, returned to the area early Saturday with 20 "technicals" -- pickup trucks mounted with heavy weapons.

  The Islamists rule much of southern Somalia under sharia, Islamic law, and want to take over the anarchic nation.

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