Kismayo, Somalia — Islamist fighters in southern Somalia have handed out prizes including weapons to participants of a radio quiz show, Radio Garowe reports.

Radio Andulus in the southern port of Kismayo hosted the quiz show featuring Islamic questions to mark the holy month of Ramadan.

Sheikh Abdiwali Mohamed Aden, the finance officer for Al Shabaab rulers in Kismayo, told reporters on Friday that the prizes were handed out to "encourage people to fight."

"The weapons handed out as prizes included AK-47s, F-1 hand grenades and ammunition," Sheikh Abdiwali said, adding that the prizes were awarded to Ramadan quiz show winners.

Some of the winners were awarded other prizes, including computers. Radio Andulus is the only radio station in Kismayo and it is operated by the port town's Al Shabaab rulers.

A Kismayo resident confidentially said the neighborhoods that competed in the quiz show were "surprised" by the prizes. Sheikh Omar Hayakallah, another Al Shabaab officer, said the administration spent US$2,160 to "encourage the public" to fight in the wars.

Last week, fighting between Al Shabaab and another Islamist faction, Hizbul Islam, fought over control of Kismayo, leading to dozens of deaths and displacing thousands of civilians.

Al Shabaab is fighting to topple Somalia's UN-backed interim government in Mogadishu.