By News Desk

MOGADISHU (Sunatimes)-A fierce battle has erupted in the Somali capital as the Somali army engages in heavy exchanges of fire with Islamist insurgents, resident said Wednesday.

The fighting broke out in the vicinity of Tribunke area when insurgents tried to cross into government’s controlled pockets, beginning heavy fighting back into the militants’ bases.

“It’s so heavy, government troops are advancing slowly” Mariam Abdi, a resident in the area told Sunatimes.

“We are locked in our homes now, I pray we will be safe” she added.

Witnesses reported that the government troops have captured 6 Alshabaab insurgents, as two of their soldiers were wounded in the attack.

Medical sources say more than 25 people, including women and children, have been wounded and about 5 died for bad scary wounds they suffered.

Government officials and rebels could not be reached for comment.

The hardline joint rebels have long been engaged in a bloody insurgency to overthrow the weak Somali government that has caused hundreds of civilian deaths and displaced tens of thousands.

Sunatimes

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Mogadishu-Somalia