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presstv
Fresh clashes between Somali government troops backed by African Union (AU) forces and al-Shabab fighters have left at least 13 people dead in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

At least six AU soldiers and seven civilians were killed after heavy clashes broke out on Thursday, a Press TV correspondent reports.

Meanwhile, al-Shabab fighters claim they have killed 9 other Somali troops in missile attacks that were carried out on African Union bases.

Clashes are continuing and heavy explosions are heard as al-Shabab fighters are reportedly launching missile attacks on AU bases in Mogadishu.

Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

Up to one million people have been killed following years of fighting between rival warlords as the country suffers from famine and disease.

There are more than 1.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Somalia. More than 300,000 IDPs have been sheltering in Mogadishu alone.

Most of the displaced live in poor and degrading conditions at makeshift sites in southern and central Somalia, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).