(BBC News) Mogadishu – The clashes began shortly after dawn between Islamist al-Shabab militants and government forces, backed by African Union (AU) troops. The AU forces are reported to have used tanks and heavy artillery.
Al-Shabab withdrew from Mogadishu in August and the government then declared that the city was under its control. The fighting occurred in the northern districts of Karan and Huriwa on Thursday. There are reports of casualties but the details are not yet known.
It followed an attack by al-Shabab on Wednesday on a military training camp run by AU troops in Wadajir to the south of Mogadishu. That area had previously been considered relatively safe.