Somali armed groups fight in central Somalia

27 Dec 27, 2009 - 12:55:26 PM

At least 10 combatants are reportedly killed and over 15 others injured in heavy fighting that erupted on Sunday between militiamen loyal to Somalia’s militant Hizbul Islam and Ahlu-Sunnah Wal-Jama’a near central Somali town of Beleweyne, officials said.

The fighting started on early Sunday in a village, some 10-km from Beleweyne, the capital of Hiran region where the armed fighters from both sides engaged in heavy gun battle.

Ma’alin Farah Daud, Hizbul Islam’s head of security told reporters in Beledweyne that some anti-peace elements carried out surprise attacks on their forces in the village but successfully repelled.

“We repulsed the attack by the people who oppose administration for Hiran Region. We still control the area,” he claimed while declining to give the casualty figures on their side.

Adan Abdulle Awale, an Ahlu-Sunnah representative on the other hand claims that his fighters inflicted heavy casualties on their foes, capturing several battlewagons.

“We attacked their station in the outskirts of Beledweyne and killed at least 13 soldiers and wounded 9 others,” he stated.

Awale admitted the injuries of two fighters from their side while maintaining that the area is under their control.

Its not immediately clear the extent of the damages caused by the fighting with the tension remaining high.