BAIDOA, (insidesomalia.org)- Violence in parts of southern Somalia claimed at least 8 lives Sunday as the country's interim government and an opposition group signed a historic peace agreement, Radio Garowe reported.

In Mogadishu, the national capital, two police officers were killed when a hidden landmine exploded at an intersection, according to witnesses in Yaaqshiid district.

One witness reported seeing wounded civilians, but he could not confirm a number.

In Bay region, where the Somali federal parliament is based, government troops led the region's deputy governor Shine Moallim Nur came under insurgent fire near Labatan-Jirrow town.

At least six combatants on both sides were killed during the heavy battle, according to local press reports.

Spokespersons for Somali insurgent groups al Shabaab and the Islamic Courts jointly claimed success in the battle with government troops.

Muktar Robow "Abu Mansur," the al Shabaab spokesman, told reporters that the insurgents captured one armed truck from government forces.

Mr. Nur, Bay region's deputy governor, confirmed the claim and admitted that one soldier died during the attack.

Sources at Baidoa general hospital told Radio Garowe that four wounded soldiers were being treated there.

The violence comes on a day when the United Nations announced the signing of a formal ceasefire between the Somali government and an opposition alliance led by Islamic Courts executive chief, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

Source: Garowe Online