Mogadishu — At least ten people have been killed in heavy fighting between allied Hizbul Islam and Al- Shabab Mujahideen and Ahlu Sunna Walja'a Islamist fighters that has erupted in Wabho town in central Somalia, witnesses and officials told Shabelle radio on Friday.

Sheik Muse Abdi Arale, a spokesman for Hizbul Islam claimed that they have captured the town from Ahlu Sunna and also seized armoured vehicles from them.

Shabelle Media could not reach Ahlu Sunna officials for confirmation. Residents said that the warring sides used heavy machine guns in the fighting.

Reports say that the fighting has now stopped and there are no independent sources about the fighting in Wabho town in Galgadud region in central Somalia since the telecommunications have been cut off.

Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a forces captured Wabho from Al- Shabab recently

There has been power struggle between Somalia's Islamist rivals in central Somalia since the Ethiopian troops withdrew from the country in mid January 2009.