African Union peacekeepers have begun patrolling the battered streets of the Somali capital of Mogadishu, days after the government declared victory over Islamic insurgents. 

A Somali pulls a donkey cart loaded with his belongings as he returns to Mogadishu, after last few days of fighting, 30 Apr 2007

About 1,600 Ugandan troops began roaming the streets of Mogadishu on Tuesday as thousands of residents began streaming back into the city.

More than 300,000 people fled Mogadishu to escape fighting between Islamist forces and allied Somali-Ethiopian troops, turning parts of the city into a ghost town.  

Many of those who escaped are living in squalid camps with very little food or water, or adequate shelter.

The United Nations say the city is facing a potential humanitarian crisis.

Initial estimates from human rights groups suggest more than 1,000 people have been killed since late March, including at least 400 killed since the allied forces launched an offensive against the Islamists in mid-April.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.