MOGADISHU (Mareeg) – Heavy fighting between al-Shabab and the Islamic Courts Union is underway in the Somali capital Mogadishu, witnesses said on Thursday.

The fighting started after an officer from al-Shabab escaped assassination attempt. Two of his security guards were killed in the incident.

Fighters from al-Shabab attacked bases of the Islamic Courts Union forces and the fighting is still going on.

Sources confirmed that a battle wagon mounted with anti-aircraft machine gun was captured from al-Shabab.

There have been hunt down missions between the Islamists since the Islamic Courts Union accused al-Shabab of being behind the assassination of senior Islamic Courts officials.

The Islamic Courts Union works with the Somali government while al-shabab opposes and vowed fighting against it.

amsomalia@mareeg.com