MOGADISHU,(insidesomalia.org)- Two civilians were killed when Islamist rebels attacked an Ethiopian military base in the south of the Somali capital Mogadishu on Wednesday, witnesses said.

The insurgents attacked the heavily guarded Somalia defence ministry building, witness Mohamed Abdulahi Suley said. "Two civilians died in the crossfire."

In Baidoa, northwest of the capital, a security guard and a lawmaker's son were killed late Tuesday when a boy threw a grenade at the MP's house, witnesses said.

"We saw a young boy hurling something into the house and it exploded sending shrapnel all over the area. The son of the lawmaker and a security guard died and two others were wounded," a witness, Ali Yasin, told AFP.

Insurgents have attacked government targets after being ousted from southern and central regions by Ethiopian-backed Somali troops in early 2007.

Somalia has lacked an effective government since the 1991 ousting of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. Ensuing factional clashes have defied numerous bids to restore stability.

Source: AFP