Mogadishu, Somalia ? As the Ethiopian army pressed its rapid advance to the outskirts of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on behalf of Somalia’s weak transitional government, top officials of the rival Islamist regime and many supporters were reported to have fled Wednesday, leaving the city of some 2 million in chaos and panic.

Lawless elements took over the streets, with armed men firing into the air, hijacking cars and holding up passers-by. The scene was reminiscent of the anarchy 15 years ago that led to an unsuccessful United Nations intervention in which 18 U.S. troops were killed.

In the face of Ethiopia’s well-equipped forces, who were invited into the country by the transitional federal government, units loyal to the Islamic Courts abandoned the fight for three major districts close to Mogadishu on Wednesday. The biggest single loss was the town of Jowhar, the Courts’ main stronghold before it seized Mogadishu without a fight last June. Jowhar fell apparently without resistance.