AMBON, Indonesia Indonesian troops opened fire repeatedly Wednesday to disperse thousands of Muslims and Christians battling with crude bombs and weapons in the streets of Ambon, in clashes which left at least three dead, witnesses said. The fighting and shooting, which began at dusk and raged for three hours before the streets emptied, was the worst violence in this devastated city since 3,000 marine and army reinforcements arrived last week.

There are thousands of people in the streets. They are ready for war, one witness said. I can see a mosque burning. An AFP reporter saw thousands of people fighting with knives and other crude weapons including petrol bombs and bows and arrows. Initial unofficial reports said at least three had died and more than 30 were injured, mostly of gunshot wounds in the fighting and other clashes flaring simultaneously around the city.

The reporter said there was one dead person at the Maluku Protestant hospital, while one marine had been admitted with an arrow wound in his thigh along with five wounded civilians. (AFP)