KISMAYO, Somalia Oct 4 (Garowe Online) - Brief armed clashes between Islamist rivals in southern Somalia were reported on Saturday, as Hizbul Islam's spokesman warned Al Shabaab insurgents against more attacks, Radio Garowe reports.

The clashes were reported Saturday around Janaa Abdalla and Bulo Gadud villages in the outskirts of Kismayo, the provincial capital of Lower Jubba region.

There were no reliable reports of casualties, but local sources said Al Shabaab guerrillas on a reconnaissance mission ran into Hizbul Islam fighters and clashes erupted.

Unconfirmed reports said Hizbul Islam seized one armed truck from Al Shabaab fighters, who fled back towards the port town of Kismayo.

Local sources said Kismayo residents remained worried about the eruption of new battles between Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam. Some local families have fled Kismayo towards the outskirts of town for safety.

At least three civilians have been shit and killed under mysterious circumstances in Kismayo since Friday, the sources added.

Al Shabaab commanders in Kismayo are reportedly "struggling" to disarm clan militias they had armed last week in anticipation of the war against Hizbul Islam.

Warning

Hizbul Islam's information secretary, Sheikh Mohamed Moallim Ali, told the VOA Somali Service that Al Shabaab should stop attacks on Hizbul Islam's officials and armed fighters.

"An attack on Sheikh Ahmed Madobe is an attack on Hizbul Islam," Sheikh Mohamed Moallim said, while explicitly warning Al Shabaab against more attacks on Hizbul Islam's officials and fighters.

The information secretary described Sheikh Ahmed Madobe as a "senior official of Hizbul Islam," adding that Hizbul Islam does not want war with Al Shabaab, but warned against future attacks.

Al Shabaab's spokesman, Sheikh Ali "Dheere" Mohamud, had told reporters following a battle on Oct. 1, 2009, when 30 people were killed that Al Shabaab is "not at war with Hizbul Islam" but is fighting against Sheikh Ahmed Madobe. READ: Al Shabaab seizes control of Kismayo after battle

Hizbul Islam's political and military leaders have been holding back-to-back meetings in the outskirts of the Somali capital Mogadishu since Friday. Local sources said Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, the chairman of Hizbul Islam, chaired the meetings where discussions included Hizbul Islam's response to the Kismayo fighting.

Kismayo, located 500km south of the Somali capital Mogadishu, is a strategic port city prized for economic infrastructure, such as port and airport facilities.

Source: Garowe Online