There has been heavy fighting in the Somali capital Mogadishu for the second day in a row.

Medics report more than 40 civilians have been killed.

Government troops supported by African Union units have come into armed combat with fighters of the radical Islamic al-Shabaab movement.

The movement is believed to be linked to the al-Qaeda movement.

In early January, the government announced it wanted to drive all Islamic rebels out of the capital for good.

Civilians fled the city in anticipation of serious fighting. However, many of them had returned as the situation remained calm.