DHUSAMAREB, Somalia May 16 (Garowe Online) - At least 16 people were killed in armed clashes since Friday between Islamist rivals in central Somalia, Radio Garowe reports.

The battle erupted around 5am local time in the central Galgadud region, where Al Shabaab hardliners and the Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamee'a faction battled for control over a town in El Bur district.

More than 22 people were wounded during the clashes, with reports indicating that the wounded persons were transported to Istarlin Hospital in Guri El, a small trading town in Galgadud.

Galgadud Region, Somalia

"Wabho [town in El Bur district] is a military center where Islamists are fighting…civilians are fleeing," said a businessman who fled the fighting.

Sheikh Abdirisak Ashari, who spoke for the Ahlu Sunnah militias, told Mogadishu-based media that Ahlu Sunnah militias control Wabho town, but noted that Al Shabaab guerrillas attacked the town Saturday morning.

Al Shabaab members in Mogadishu have refused to speak about the ongoing fighting in Galgadud region. The clan-based Ahlu Sunnah militias have repeatedly battled against Al Shabaab in Galgadud since late 2008.

Meanwhile, Mogadishu remains tensely calm after week-long clashes between pro-government forces and Islamist hardliners led by Al Shabaab.

Somalia's interim government, led by President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, has very little control outside select neighborhoods in Mogadishu.

Source: Garowe Online