BELETWEIN, Somalia Oct 15 – At least 12 people were killed in fighting between Islamist factions in central Somalia, Radio Garowe reports.

The fighting erupted Wednesday afternoon in Mataban district of Hiran region, in central Somalia, after Al Shabaab guerrillas attacked Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamee’ a militias.

Local sources said at least 22 people were wounded during the fighting, which lasted for two hours.

Sheikh Abdirisak Ashari, the Ahlu Sunnah militia spokesman, told reporters that they killed two Al Shabaab commanders named Sheikh Ali Dheere and Moallim Dahir.

Al Shabaab commanders have not spoken about the newest round of fighting, but independent sources in central Somalia said that Ahlu Sunnah militia are “now in control” of the villages where the fighting took place in Mataban district.

The situation was reportedly calm on Thursday, with sources saying civilian casualties were minimal. Al Shabaab and Ahlu Sunnah fighters have been battling each other in Galgadud and Hiran regions since late 2008.

Ahlu Sunnah is a pro-government militia while Al Shabaab is a fierce guerrilla group that is leading the insurgency against the UN-recognized interim government in Mogadishu.

Source: Garowe Online

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