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Mogadishu, (insidesomalia.org) At least five people were killed and six others were wounded overnight at a checkpoint in Sinka Dher , 18km north west of Mogadishu at the road linking the capital to Afgoi after fighting erupted between government forces and insurgents, said witness.
The fighting started when the insurgents launch attack against government forces that collect income tax from the passenger and cargo transportation using the road.
"Dead bodies scattered on the street were seen after the attack and shops around the checkpoint were looted "said Halimo Mohamed Farah, a resident at the neighborhood were the fighting took place.
Earlier the checkpoint was one of the positions rarely witnessed such an attack during the recent two year years of conflict in the capital and its surrounding became safe heaven place for the people displaced from Mogadishu.
ALShabaab Islamic Insurgents claimed that their fighters were behind the attack overnight at the checkpoint in Siinka Dher.
"Government puppets used to collect extortion money against venerable people and our fighters attacked the site" said Sheikh Abdirahim , who spoke on the behalf for the AlShabab Islamic group.
The insurgents took control of the checkpoint briefly overnight after government forces took back early morning on Thursday, said Hanad Ali Guled, a local reporter in Mogadishu.
On the other hand, government forces that cordoned off the Bakara market overnight retreat after Somali police contingents replaced them amid tension about many roads that link the market to the other parts of the capital are still blockaded.
"Somali governments intention is that security surveillance posts being installed inside the market "said government official speaking InsideSomalia.org in anonymity.
Insurgent that regrouped themselves after Union of Islamic Courts were ousted by allied Somali government and Ethiopian troops extended their attacks against government forces from the capital into the other regions in the country including Bay, Bakol, and lower Shabelle regions.
Somalia lacked united central government since the military regime led by General Mohamed Siyad Barre in 1991 by factional groups that fought among themselves during the 16 years of the civil unrest.
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