MOGADISHU, Somalia Sep 8 (Garowe Online) - At least 16 people have been killed in a series of battles in the Somali capital between African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM) and Somali insurgents, Radio Garowe reports.

The fighting erupted overnight Monday after fighters loyal to insurgent factions Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam launched mortars at the military bases of AMISOM peacekeepers in Mogadishu.

At least eight people, mostly civilians, were killed in Mogadishu's Hodan district in an exchange of artillery shells between the pro-government African peacekeepers and the insurgents, local sources reported.

"I saw five dead people, including a mother and her two children," said a witness in Hodan district, who was forced to flee to safety.

On Tuesday morning, heavy fighting reignited in parts of Hodan district after AMISOM peacekeepers expanded between their base at KM4 square and Industry Road, a main thoroughfare for insurgents.

Emergency workers in Mogadishu said upwards of 36 wounded persons were rushed to medical hospitals, with fears that the death toll could rise fast.

AMISOM commanders and insurgents have not spoken publicly about the latest round of violence, which comes on the heels of weeks of renewed clashes between government forces and the insurgents during Islam's holy month of Ramadan.

Source: Garowe Online