MOGADISHU, April 26 (Reuters) - Ethiopian tanks supporting the Somali interim government pounded rebel positions in Mogadishu on Thursday, intensifying an offensive to wipe out Islamist gunmen and clan militia, fighters and residents said.

"We are under heavy artillery and tank shelling. The Ethiopians are using whatever forces and material they have," said a fighter belonging to the capital's dominant Hawiye clan. "This is the heaviest attack we've seen since the war started."

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