Fifteen killed as militias clash in Mogadishu

At least 15 people have been killed and hundreds of families displaced in fighting that started on Saturday between rival militias in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, witnesses said.

The violence erupted when armed militias reportedly loyal to Mogadishu militia leader, Abdi Nure Siyad, also known as "Abdi Wal", attacked others who guard the Islamic courts which are located in a former military academy south of city.

Siyad is a member of a newly created group - the Alliance for Peace and Fight Against International Terrorism - which comprises several Mogadishu-based faction leaders. Other members include Muhammad Qanyare Afrah, Muse Sudi Yalahow, Omar Finnish, Bashir Raghe and Abdirashid Shire Ilqeyte.

The weekend fighting subsided, but resumed on Monday "with intensity," Hassan Ade, a local resident, said. "I can hear the sound of heavy weapons as I speak to you now," he told IRIN.

Siyad denied starting the violence.

"I was attacked by these people [Islamic court militias] and I am defending myself," he said. "These groups are only after one thing - power and are hiding behind Islam."

Abdullahi Shirwa, a member of Civil Society in Action, an umbrella organisation made up of over 12 groups in Mogadishu, however, said the fighting was an attempt by the alliance "to arrest the influence of the Islamic courts", which, he said, has brought a semblance of order in areas they control.

Shops, secular and Koranic schools were closed and public transport disrupted as fighting raged.

Hospital sources said many of the dead and wounded were civilians hit by stray bullets. They included women and children wounded by mortar and artillery fire.

The number of those wounded in various hospitals on Sunday stood at "over 100", a local doctor said. Most of the wounded were taken to the Medina and Hasan Jis hospitals, he said.

"In our hospital we treated 100 injured - 50 of them serious," Shaykhdon Salad Ilmi, a doctor at Medina said.

Elders and civil society groups were trying to mediate between the combatants. In a statement issued on Monday, the Civil Society in Action urged an immediate cessation of hostilities.