MOGADISHU (AFP) — Heavy fighting broke out Sunday between Somalia’s radical Islamist rebels and pro-government militants in a town near the war-riven capital, officials and witnesses said.

The fighting erupted in Jowhar, 90 kilometres (55 miles) north of the capital after the hardliners, trying to take control of the town, attacked the militants backing the fledgling transitional government.

“Shebab militants attacked the town and the fighting is going on in two frontlines now,” Ahmed Mohamed Moalim, Islamist commander backing the government told AFP by phone.

“But I tell you that they will not succeed in the dirty war,” he vowed.

Both sides are using heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft weapons. There were no reports of casualties yet early Sunday.

“We are trapped in the house. There is heavy exchange of fire, we don’t know yet who is gaining the upper hand,” said resident Ibrahim Adan.

The fighting is related to clashes rocking Mogadishu.

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