At least 20 people were killed Monday including many civilians after Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia soldiers open indiscriminate fire upon civilians, Radio Garowe reports.

The incident happened near Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu, after TFG soldiers killed a fellow soldier "dressed in civilian uniform."

Witnesses said the dead soldier, who had a pistol tucked in, was killed after TFG troops became suspicious of him. Fellow soldiers from the dead soldier's unit were in an "argument" with the attacking troops when indiscriminate gunfire was opened.

Among the dead were women and two employees of Banadir Hospital, sources added.

"Some of the dead cut into pieces. The wounded survivors...some of them had their legs or arms cut off," said a woman, who was helping the wounded persons.

Mogadishu residents described the incident as a terrible misunderstanding, although TFG soldiers have fought each other in the past many times.

The Western-backed TFG interim government in Mogadishu, aided by African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM), is fighting to survive against a four-year insurgency led by Al Qaeda-affiliated Al Shabaab fighters.

GAROWE ONLINE