GURI EL, Somalia Dec 2 (Garowe Online) - Islamist groups fought against each other in central Somalia Tuesday afternoon in a fierce battle that killed two fighters and wounded six other people including civilians, Radio Garowe reported.

The violence sparked around 5pm local time between fighters loyal to al Shabaab and another Islamic group, called Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamee'a, a government official said.

Ali Sheikh Mohamud, the mayor of Guri El town in Galgadud region, told reporters that the two groups are fighting over court-related issues but he did not elaborate.

It was the first round of violence among Islamist groups in Galgadud in history, according to local officials and residents.

The situation in Guri El town was calm but tense Tuesday evening, with locals worried about renewed violence.

Since 2006, Somalia's Islamic groups have fractured into rival camps and engaged in direct attacks against each other in at least three separate incidents.

Source: Garowe Online