The Somali capital of Mogadishu is once again the scene of fierce fighting between Islamist insurgents, government troops and African Union peacekeepers. Violence flared up on Thursday afternoon and is still continuing, with both sides using heavy weapons. This comes after a week that has seen fighting in central and southern regions and the reappearance of Ethiopian troops across the border.

Although the fiercest of the fighting appears to be over, there are still clashes in parts of Mogadishu. Hasan Osman Abdy, a journalist with Shabelle radio station in Mogadishu told us that hundreds of civilians have fled their homes, and that many were killed and injured when shells landed on the busy Bakara market.

Listen to Newsline's interview with Hasan Osman Abdy:

Al-Shabaab attacks
Al-Shabaab rebels had warned that they would redouble their attacks against the weak Western-backed government as Ramadan approached and are believed to be the main group behind the fighting. Abdy says that the Ministry of Defence is claiming to have the situation under control and was driving back the rebels. He also reports that government troops stormed the offices of the Al Arabiya news channel and removed equipment including cameras and laptops.

Widespread fighting
Battles have been taking place across central and southern regions this week as pro-government militias try to seize towns controlled by Al-Shabaab and another rebel group, Hizbul Islam. The Islamist rebels claim Ethiopian soldiers are fighting alongside the militias – although Ethiopia denies this.

Ethiopian troops return
There have been eyewitness reports of Ethiopian troops crossing the border into the central Somali town of Beledweyne although it’s unclear whether they’re back at the invitation of the local pro-government administration. Abdy told us that there were reports of Ethiopian troops supporting the Somali militia in the town, but that there was no evidence they were moving into any other parts of Somalia.