Nairobi — Fierce fighting erupted on Friday in Mogadishu between the forces of the Transitional Federal Government and the Islamist groups vehemently opposing it.

The clashes were provoked by opposition attacks against the positions of the forces of Ethiopia and the African Union peacekeepers, Amisom, at Taleh and Maka-al-Mukarrama Avenue in Southern Mogadishu.

Ethiopian troops have been helping the forces of the TFG to quell the Islamists.

In apparently synchronised actions, another battle front was opened around the former Spaghetti factory and Hayle Braise complex in Northern Mogadishu. The attacks were against pro-government forces stationed there.