Mogadishu — Heavy battles between Somali government forces backed by African Union peacekeepers and Al shabaab fighters on Monday night rocked parts of northern Mogadishu, witnesses said Tuesday.

Most of combat took place in neighborhoods of Yaqashid and Karan north of the capital as the crackling of machine could viciously be heard in many parts of Mogadishu.

Witnesses said at least four people have been killed and dozens more injured during in overnight firefight.

Reports say that Al shabaab has launched hit and run attacks before the fighting flared up.

Neither the transitional federal government officers nor Al shabaab movement has released any comments about the battles on Monday night.

However, Al shabaab has vowed it will pursue guerrilla attacks after their pull out from Mogadishu.