Muhyadin Ahmed Roble, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya
At least 24 people, mostly civilians, have been killed during heavy fighting between Somali forces and rebels group in Mogadishu, officials said on Tuesday. The battle, which started on Sunday and continued through part on Monday, also wounded more than 30 others.
Sources told AfricaNews that the fighting at least killed 16 civilians and eight fighters from the two sides died.
Col. Dahir Ali Farey, a Somali military spokesman, confirmed that there were some casualties on Somali forces but failed to mention how many people died or even injured.
Farey maintained that government forces were successful in the fighting in northern Mogadishu.
A fighting reputed on Monday near the base of the African Union at the Jalle Siad military camp, north of the capital, where insurgent fighters attacked.
Islamist rebels are trying to oust Somali government backed by western countries and have been carrying daily attacks against Somali government and AMISOM troops.
Somali has not had an effective government since warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
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