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presstv

At least 11 people have been killed in violent fighting between al-Shabab fighters and AU peacekeepers in Mogadishu.

The violence erupted early Friday near the K4 area in southeastern Mogadishu, a major flashpoint.

The development comes as the Somali government had planned to celebrate the first anniversary of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's election on Friday.

According to paramedics, the bodies of at least nine civilians, including a mother and her two children, were found in various locations while the al-Shabab fighters, who claimed responsibility for the attacks, have only admitted the death of two of their members.

"Around seven civilians died in the clashes, including women and children. Most of them were killed by mortar shells and stray bullets," Abdi Adan, an eyewitness, told AFP.

"Four civilians died in Wardhigley district and three others were killed in Holwadag and Bakara area. It was the worst fighting we have seen recently," Mohamoud Ahmed, another local resident, said.

Several people, mostly civilians, were also injured in the offensive.

The local fighters have stepped up attacks against Somalia's UN-backed transitional government and African Union peacekeepers in order to topple the embattled government.

Somalia's main opposition fighters, al-Shabab, are the military off-shoot of the Council of Islamic Courts. They have been fighting the Somali government troops and African Union peacekeepers in and around the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

The Council of Islamic Courts came to power in 2006 after defeating Somali warlords. It was, however, forced out of power in 2007 through an Ethiopian invasion aided by the United States.