At least eight people have been killed and seven others injured in a fresh fighting between Al-Shabab and Hisbul Islam militants, witnesses told VOA Somali Service.
The latest clashes took place in Qalley village near Hagar district, some 160 KMs west of Kismayo. Spokesman for Al-Shabab in Kismayo Sheikh Hassan Yacqub has accused Hisbul Islam for instigating the attack. He claimed that his forces repelled three separate attacks from Hisbul Islam.
Al-Shabab also claimed that members of ONLF rebels, the group that is fighting in eastern Ethiopia, were involved in the attack alongside Hisbul Islam. However, a Spokesman for ONLF Hussein Mohamed Nur in Qatar told VOA Somali Service his side is not involved in the hostility in Somalia.
Hisbul Islam officials were not available for comment.
