MOGADISHU, Somalia Jan 4 (Garowe Online) - At least 9 people were killed in separate incidents of violence in Somalia's war-torn capital Mogadishu, Radio Garowe reported Sunday.

Four Ethiopian soldiers died instantly when a roadside bomb exploded in the outskirts of Mogadishu, witnesses said.

The soldiers were on foot patrol near a checkpoint and were searching vehicles for explosives, a Somali military official said.

Separately, Somali soldiers shot and killed three civilians near Hotel Jubba in Mogadishu, with witnesses saying the civilians were targeted after "refusing to pay extortion."

Fighting erupted moments later among government troops, leading to the deaths of two soldiers and wounding four other people, including a female caught in the crossfire.

Ethiopian troops have began withdrawing from parts of Mogadishu, but insurgent attacks have increased over the past week.

Source: Garowe Online