KISMAYO, Somalia Oct 7 (Garowe Online) - Renewed armed clashes in southern Somalia between Islamist rival factions continued again on Wednesday, with Al Shabaab hardliners reportedly suffering heavy losses, Radio Garowe reports.

Two separate clashes took place near Janay Abdalla village in Lower Jubba region, inside sources said. The first attack took place around 4am local time when Al Shabaab fighters were ambushed and forced to retreat.

The second attack was an "all-out battle" between Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam groups that erupted around noon, the sources added.

"Al Shabaab suffered heavy losses, lost control of their military post and had their supply trucks captured," said a well-informed source, who was describing the two-hour-long battle.

There were no reliable reports of casualties, but sources in Kismayo, Afdamow and Nairobi said Al Shabaab fighters were "forced to scatter in a state of confusion" as Hizbul Islam reinforcements rushed in to battle.

Somali government sources in Mogadishu confirmed that a heavily armed convoy of Hizbul Islam fighters left Mogadishu and Afgoye town en route to Lower Jubba region using the main road through Jilib and other towns controlled by Al Shabaab.

There was no report of fighting as the Hizbul Islam armed convoy peacefully drove through many towns and villages in Lower Shabelle and Middle Jubba regions controlled by Al Shabaab.

Wednesday's clashes come as Hizbul Islam chief Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys has called for a "ceasefire" with Al Shabaab.

Also Wednesday, Al Shabaab's political and regional relations head, Sheikh Hussein Ali Fidow, told Mogadishu-based media that a "committee" has been established to "investigate the conflict between Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam."

He noted that Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam leaders have "reached a preliminary agreement" and promised to present the terms to the media once the final agreement is signed.

Source: Garowe Online