Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:57PM GMT
Forces from African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) deploy near Mogadishu's main Bakara market during fighting between Somalia army soldiers and anti-government forces in the capital. (File photo)
African Union-backed government forces in Somalia have launched a fresh offensive to seize al-Shabab positions in the capital, Mogadishu, Press TV reports.
Heavy clashes broke out in the early hours of Friday when Somali soldiers backed by tanks and artillery from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) moved into Mogadishu's northern Hiliwa and Gupta suburbs, held by al-Shabab fighters.
At least 39 civilians and four Somali army servicemen were killed in the fighting.
"Our soldiers and AMISOM forces launched offensives that have resulted in steady gains such as the capture of Daynile, Hiliwa, Suuqa-Holaha and the whole areas up to Balcad and Afgoye," Somali military commander Col. Abdullahi Ali said.
In a statement, AMISOM said the African Union forces managed to secure the northern frontier of the Somali capital city. It said they also took control of the Mogadishu University and Barakat Cemetery areas.
The fierce confrontation on Friday was one of the worst fighting between al-Shabab fighters and the African and Western-backed government forces.
Several soldiers were reportedly killed when al-Shabab ambushed a convoy of government and AMISOM soldiers near to the frontline.
The fighting also forced many people to flee from their homes in search of a safe shelter.
Somalia has been without a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
Reports released by the United Nations said that thousands of Somalis face starvation in the country's famine-battered zones and that some four million are in urgent need of aid across the Horn of Africa country.
MRS/JR
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