The tension has kept prospects for peace talks between the government and Islamists uncertain, amid growing international concern about a potential eruption of fighting.
On Thursday, UN chief Kofi Annan added his voice to the chorus of concern, calling for all parties involved "to refrain from actions that could further strain relations."
Somalia has been wracked by lawlessness since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, which plunged the nation of about 10 million people into anarchic bloodletting.
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