Dozens of houses torched in East Timor

A scared and mourning East Timorese woman passes a burning car as she flees her house after it was set on fire by attackers during an ethnic dispute in Villa Verde area of Dili yesterday between native Western Timorese and Eastern Timorese. PHOTO: AFP

Hundreds of panicked residents sought shelter in churches, schools and embassies, as Australian troops arrived in tanks to try to restore order. The number of casualties wasn't known, but several ambulances raced through the streets with sirens blaring.

The gangs are apparently allied with police and former soldiers angered by the dismissal in March of 600 soldiers more than 40 percent of the country's army after they went on a monthlong strike to protest poor working conditions.