20 Aug 2009

At least 21 people have been killed in a sudden eruption of violence in central Somalia after pro-government forces clashed with rebels.

Conflict broke out after forces loyal to the Mogadishu government launched an attack on a central Somali town on Thursday, killing a number of insurgents in the fighting, AFP, reported.

There have been no further reports on the precise number of fatalities on the warring sides.

Al-Shabaab fighters vying for a larger share in the state control have held the town, located some 200 kilometers north of Mogadishu, as a stronghold for launching their anti-government campaigns.

The poverty-stricken Horn of Africa nation has been grappling with the ongoing civil war which has crippled the 'lawless' state for around two decades.

Over 17,000 people have been killed and an estimated 250,000 others have been internally displaced over the past few months alone.

presstv