At least five people are killed and 15 others injured on Friday in fresh clashes that rocked parts of Somalia’s restive capital Mogadishu, medics and witnesses said.

Witnesses said clashes erupted on the evening in Mogadishu’s Shibis, Abdiasis and Bondhere neighbourhoods where several mortar shells fired by warring forces landed at residential areas, killing at least five civilians and injuring more than 35 others.

The shelling comes as newly deployed Al-Shabaab fighters take positions in the northern districts ahead of planned government offensives.

Almost the entire residents of those neighborhoods have vacated their homes for fear of being caught in the middle of the disarray.

The clashes come as top Al-Shabaab official declares jihad agsint the UN-backed Somali government and African Union troops.

Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Abu Mansur told hundreds of supporters gathered after Friday prayers in Nasrul-din mosque, located south of Mogadishu that his group has prepared well for the war and would launch as soon as possible.

“We have prepared our Mujahidiins for this war and we are urging you to join us in this religious undertaking because it’s your religious responsibility, are you ready?” he asked the crowd who replied with ‘Yes’.

The government, backed by AU troops has already announced its plans to take over the control of the country by force but has not yet stated when the full scaled onslaught will be launched.

GAROWE ONLINE