Residents described seeing military transport trucks and tanks pouring into Ethiopian army bases in Mogadishu.

Somali military sources confirmed that the troops had arrived in Mogadishu, but declined to mention the reason for the new troops' arrival.

It is not clear whether or not the fresh troops will replace comrades who have been serving in Somalia since last December. Unconfirmed reports said more troops from Ethiopia are preparing to deploy into southern Somalia.

There are no certain facts and figures for the number of Ethiopian soldiers in Somalia, particularly in Mogadishu where they are helping defend the interim government from insurgent attacks.

Search operations

An intense search operation commenced early Friday in parts of south Mogadishu's Medina district after suspected insurgents hurled grenades at police last night, wounding 2 officers.

Residents said Medina district has been relatively calm in recent weeks but last night's attack prompted the search operations, being jointly carried out by Somali and Ethiopian forces.

Meanwhile, Somali forces withdrew from parts of Huriwa district overnight, particularly the area around SOS Hospital and the livestock market, sources said.

Residents and truck drivers expressed their happiness to see the troops depart after consecutive weeks of nonstop insurgent attacks in the area.

Businesses have returned to their normal state of operations, traders said.

Families displaced by the Mogadishu insurgency have been gradually returning to their homes, especially in quieter neighborhoods of Mogadishu.

But some returnees sadly described coming back to empty homes ransacked by soldiers and looters alike.

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