Shootout in Mogadishu Kills 2 on Eve of Perilous Protest

Sub machine gunfire crackled across central Mogadishu on Sunday on the eve of a protest that threatens to explode into clan violence.

Somalis said two people were killed and three wounded in a shootout over a water well.

The gunfight was adjacent to the Kilometer Four traffic circle in the southern stronghold of Gen. Mohammed Farah Aidid, whose supporters held their regular Sunday rally barely a mile away.

It was not clear if those in the shootout were affiliated with Aidid or his opponents.

Aidid’s deputy, Mohammed Nur Aliyo, repeated warnings against a demonstration planned for today.

Protesters plan to cross the Green Line dividing rival clan leader Ali Mahdi Mohamed’s territory from south Mogadishu.

Tens of thousands of people are expected.

“If they come over, we are not responsible for what will happen,” Aliyo told hundreds of cheering people at the rally. “They want this to create problems, not support peace.”

Ali Mahdi broadcast a message Saturday night saying, “If anyone tries to interfere, we will cross by force.”

More guns were seen on the streets, and both sides reportedly were arming themselves.

There are fears that Ali Mahdi wants to provoke conflict in hopes the 33-country U.N. peacekeeping force will be forced to intervene and renew its fight against Aidid.

U.N. sources said Ali Mahdi has refused their suggestions for less provocative routes for the march.

Peacekeepers are supposed to fire only when they are in danger, but an attack on U.N. troops could drag them into the fray.

If U.N. forces then were overwhelmed, U.S. soldiers could be forced to intervene.

“If there is a requirement for us to go on the ground, then we will do so and we will do so in force,” U.S. military spokesman Col. Steve Rausch said.