Islamic militias attacked a prominent Somali warlord and killed two of his fighters early today in clashes that could spark a resumption of the worst battles in Mogadishu for a decade.
"Mohamed Dheere was attacked at 4am (2am Irish time) by the Islamic court militia on a road linking Mogadishu to Bal'ad. His forces have been dispersed, but I understand they are regrouping again," Siyad Mohamed, an Islamic militia leader, was quoted as saying.
The attack ended a lull in violence that has killed 150 people in an eight-day battle for the Somali capital that sent hundreds fleeing from rockets, mortars and heavy machine guns.
The fighting halted on Sunday after clan elders demanded a truce and sent their own fighters in to the worst hit districts to try to ensure it was not violated.
Dheere and his militia arrived from his stronghold in Jowhar at the weekend to join the fighting, which analysts view as a proxy battle between Islamist militants and Washington, which is widely believed to be funding the warlords.
The Islamic courts say dollars are being poured into Mogadishu to strengthen their enemies, while the warlords accuse their rivals of having links to al-Qaeda.