This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8213658.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Somali insurgents in deadly raid Somali insurgents in deadly raid
(31 minutes later)
More than 20 people have been killed in heavy battles in Somalia's capital after Islamist fighters launched a pre-dawn raid in the south of Mogadishu.More than 20 people have been killed in heavy battles in Somalia's capital after Islamist fighters launched a pre-dawn raid in the south of Mogadishu.
A BBC reporter says the al-Shabab group was acting in retaliation to an incursion into the area by African Union peacekeepers on Thursday.A BBC reporter says the al-Shabab group was acting in retaliation to an incursion into the area by African Union peacekeepers on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Australian government has decided to list al-Shabab as a terrorist organisation.Meanwhile, the Australian government has decided to list al-Shabab as a terrorist organisation.
It follows the discovery of a suicide attack plot linked to the group.It follows the discovery of a suicide attack plot linked to the group.
Earlier this month five men - at least three of whom are of Somali origin - were arrested and charged with planning a suicide attack on an army barracks in Sydney.Earlier this month five men - at least three of whom are of Somali origin - were arrested and charged with planning a suicide attack on an army barracks in Sydney.
Al-Shabab - which is accused of links to al-Qaeda - has denied any connection with the men charged in Australia.Al-Shabab - which is accused of links to al-Qaeda - has denied any connection with the men charged in Australia.
The group is trying to overthrow Somalia's UN-backed government and was listed as a terrorist organisation in the United States in February last year.The group is trying to overthrow Somalia's UN-backed government and was listed as a terrorist organisation in the United States in February last year.
ShellingShelling
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says the latest fighting started early in the morning and mortars were exchanged by both sides.The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says the latest fighting started early in the morning and mortars were exchanged by both sides.
He says AU tanks also fired shells.He says AU tanks also fired shells.
"Hundreds of well-armed insurgents came to our district with minibuses and pick-up trucks and immediately they started firing towards the government troops and an AU base," local resident Abdi Haji Ahmed told the BBC."Hundreds of well-armed insurgents came to our district with minibuses and pick-up trucks and immediately they started firing towards the government troops and an AU base," local resident Abdi Haji Ahmed told the BBC.
"We ducked fearfully under our house's concrete balcony for hours.""We ducked fearfully under our house's concrete balcony for hours."
The fighting affected several southern suburbs, causing civilian causalities - an ambulance co-ordinator said at least 18 people had died and 40 others had been taken to hospital.The fighting affected several southern suburbs, causing civilian causalities - an ambulance co-ordinator said at least 18 people had died and 40 others had been taken to hospital.
People were also affected as they tried to get to work at the city's main Bakara marketPeople were also affected as they tried to get to work at the city's main Bakara market
"Mortars landed into the market, killing six people, including traders, who were rushing to open their business centres early this morning," a businessman said."Mortars landed into the market, killing six people, including traders, who were rushing to open their business centres early this morning," a businessman said.
On Thursday AU troops patrolled along an industrial road in the south the city where al-Shabab has several bases, our correspondent says. Offensive
On Thursday AU troops patrolled along an industrial road in the south of the city where al-Shabab has several bases, our correspondent says.
The AU peacekeepers described the move as a routine military exercise, but the Islamist radicals regarded the patrol as provocative.The AU peacekeepers described the move as a routine military exercise, but the Islamist radicals regarded the patrol as provocative.
Our reporter says the attack comes the day before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when the insurgents have vowed to redouble their attacks.Our reporter says the attack comes the day before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when the insurgents have vowed to redouble their attacks.
Clashes were also been reported on Friday morning in two separate areas of the central Hiran region, but details are sketchy. This week has seen pro-government troops go on the offensive outside the capital.
Clashes have been reported on Friday morning in two separate areas of the central Hiran region, but details are sketchy.
Residents in the area say the fighting is close to the strategic town of Beledweyne, which witnessed clashes on Thursday, and the village of Mahas.
Beledweyne is reported to still be in the hands of the government.
Calm has returned to the central town of Buloburte, where government soldiers and al-Shabab fighters fought fiercely on Thursday.
Government forces have withdrawn from the town and al-Shabab is again in control.