MOGADISHU, Somalia, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Intense gun battles between African Union peacekeepers and Islamic fundamentalists erupted Monday in parts of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, witnesses said.
Shabelle Radio quoted witnesses saying one battle between soldiers backing the country's transitional government allied with the African peacekeepers against Islamic forces broke out at a large base used by Burundian troops.
It said the early morning fighting included heavy weapons exchanges, while another battle was reported in the Hodan district in south the capital.
Shabelle also reported at least three people were killed and others wounded in the breakaway republic of Somaliland when soldiers found explosive devices that later detonated.
Mohamed Abdi Dimbil, deputy governor of the Somaliland administration, told Shabelle that residents found the devices and gave them to troops. After the troops took possession of the materials, they exploded, killing three soldiers and wounding several others, the report said.
