Somali government troops backed by African Union peacekeepers battled insurgents today in clashes that killed at least 43 people in north Mogadishu, residents and officials said.
Somalia's government and a 4,300-strong AU force have been unable to take control of rebel strongholds in Mogadishu and other parts of the Horn of Africa nation despite international support and training.
"We have killed 40 fighters from al Shabaab group and we continue to repulse them. We have now pushed them back from three northern districts of Mogadishu. AU peacekeepers were assisting us," said Salad Ali Jelle, a parliamentarian who was involved in today's fighting.
Rebels were not immediately available for comment.
Mogadishu's deputy mayor said the insurgents had captured an area near the presidential palace at the weekend.
Reuters