The Somali capital Mogadishu has been the scene of fighting between government forces and insurgents for a third day.

At least 50 people have been killed, and hundreds of civilians are fleeing the city.

In January, Somali government forces backed by African Union troops announced an offensive to drive the Islamic insurgents out of Mogadishu. The al-Shabaab rebel movement now controls 80 percent of central and southern Somalia, and parts of the capital. The rebels want to see the introduction of strict sharia law throughout the country.