Somalia: Kismayo fighting 'clan related

[RebelLion]

KISMAYO, Somalia Aug 21 (Garowe Online) - Heavy fighting erupted for the second consecutive day in the Somali port city of Kismayo, with conflicting reports emerging about the warring groups.

Battles erupted Wednesday in Kismayo, a strategic southern port, after a landmine explosion targeting clan militias aboard an armed truck missed and killed three civilian bystanders.

On Thursday, fighting erupted in the morning and continued into the evening, with conflicting reports telling Garowe Online about which group now controls Kismayo.

At least 70 people have been wounded in two days of fighting and 35 killed, with "many bodies lying on the streets," according to locals.

Businesses remained closed for the second day as the fighting reportedly reached every corner of the town.

The latest reports indicate that an alliance of local clans are now in control of Kismayo airport, Alanley and Via Afmadow neighborhoods, with sporadic gunfire reported during the night.

Muktar Robow "Abu Mansur," a spokesman for al Shabaab insurgents, told local media that al Shabaab fighters are involved in Kismayo battles, but stated he would give full comments "after the fighting stops."

Kismayo, which is located 500km south of Mogadishu, has been under the control of Marehan clan militias since April 2007 when Somali government troops withdrew from the town after clan-related violence.

A Marehan clan elder told the BBC Somali Service that "Marehan militias control Kismayo," but his claim could not be independently verified.

Source: Garowe Online