MOGADISHU, Somalia Sep 23 (Garowe Online) - At least 15 people were killed and scores wounded in Tuesday clashes in the Somali capital Mogadishu, as the insurgency intensifies against the African Union-backed interim government, Radio Garowe reports.

Al Shabaab insurgents claimed responsibility for the attacks, which targeted the bases of AU peacekeepers (AMISOM) and Somali government forces in parts of Mogadishu.

"A shell that hit Bakara Market killed 7 people, including an old man," said a witness describing the violent scene at Mogadishu's largest marketplace.

The fighting began Tuesday afternoon and continued into the early evening hours, as insurgents attacked AMISOM and government posts along the important Maka Al Mukarrama Road that leads to the Villa Somalia presidential compound.

A spokesman for Hizbul Islam insurgents accused AMISOM peacekeepers of "indiscriminately shelling civilian areas," but AMISOM spokesman Bahoku Barigye denied the report and told reporters that the peacekeepers were defending themselves.

"We transported more than 20 wounded civilians since last night [Tuesday night]," said Ali Omar, a Mogadishu ambulance driver.

Mogadishu has been wracked by insurgent violence since early 2007. AMISOM peacekeepers, who are protecting Somalia's weak interim government, were the target of Al Shabaab suicide car bombers last week that killed 21 people.

Source: Garowe Online