At least seven people are confirmed killed and dozens wounded in a heavy fighting between Al shabaab militants and local militiamen in Mudug region of central Somalia on Friday.
The combat flared up when armed Al Shabaab fighters attacked a militiamen stationed at Dumaye village, about 50Km away from the seaside city of Harardhere in Mudug region.
A senior Al Shabaab commander named Abdullah Salad was among those killed in the battle near Harardhere, a former pirate bastion and current Al shabaab stronghold.
Sources said the fighting broke out when local residents in Dumaye rural area took arms against Al shabaab over Zakah collection (an Islamic levy on wealth).