JOWHAR, Somalia Nov 15 (Garowe Online) - Fighting among warring Islamist factions in southern Somalia erupted again in Middle Shabelle region near the capital Mogadishu, sources told Garowe Online.

The violence was concentrated in War-Isse village, which is inside the district of Jowhar, the regional capital of Middle Shabelle.

There were no casualty figures available, but informed sources said the warring sides used heavy weapons in combat and that the death toll could be high.

It was the second consecutive day of violence reported in Jowhar among warring Islamist factions. Full story

Sheikh Dahir Addow Alasow, chairman of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) administration in Middle Shabelle, told local press that he did not know why the violence started.

"We dispatched more forces and some elders to the area," Sheikh Alasow told reporters.

But sources told Garowe Online that a renegade ICU commander attacked Islamist fighters loyal to Sheikh Alasow in War-Isse village.

Sheikh Abdirahman Hassan Hussein, a renegade ex-deputy administrator, told the press from an undisclosed location that he will use force to remove Sheikh Alasow.

"The group that supports the Djibouti [peace] agreement want to remain in the region [Middle Shabelle] by force, but we will fight them," Sheikh Abdirahman said.

In October, Sheikh Alasow traveled to Djibouti to witness the signing of the peace deal between the Ethiopian-backed Somali interim government and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS).

But many ICU factions, including al Shabaab, have rejected the peace pact and vowed to continue the insurgency despite the call for a ceasefire.

Source: Garowe Online