Somali rebels attack capital for third day

Reuters

COUNTER: Somali government soldiers run to take positions during fighting against Islamic rebel groups north of the capital Mogadishu.

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Somalia's rebel group al Shabaab attacked government positions near the president's palace in the capital and four people were killed by return fire, residents said on Friday.

The fighting erupted in the Wardhigley district in the early hours of Friday, the third day of battles between the insurgents and government forces backed by African Union troops.

"Al Shabaab fighters arrived this morning at Aden Ade junction near the palace and fired mortars at the palace, prompting heavier shells," resident Abdi Abdullahi told Reuters.

"The two groups are still exchanging shells. I have seen one dead and four injured."

At least 54 people were killed in the first two days of fighting as rebels tried to destabilise the government before a long-awaited offensive aimed at dislodging the insurgents from Mogadishu.

Another resident said a shell hit the vehicle he was travelling in and three civilians were wounded.

"We were going to Bakara market. When we ran away, we could see three dead men lying in an alley," Aden Yusuf told Reuters.

Somalia has had no effective central government for 19 years and Western and neighbouring countries say the country provides sanctuary for militants intent on launching attacks in east Africa and beyond.

- Reuters