MOGADISHU (Mareeg)—Fierce fighting between al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam militants has erupted in the port town of Kismayo, where the two sides have been preparing for fighting to control the city for the last three days, witnesses and officials  say.

Officials from Hizbul Islam confirmed that the fighting has started in the town. There are no further details about the fighting.

Residents say the sound of heavy gun fire could be heard in the town. More civilians started fleeing from Kismayo early on Wednesady.

Al-shabaab has declared war on Hizbul Islam on Wednesday and Hizbul Islam replied that they will defend any fighting from the Shabaab.

On the other hand there is tension in Afmadow town in the region, where al Shabaab has reportedly deployed more fighters near the town to fight with fighters loyal to Hizbul Islam based in the town.

There is power struggle between the two groups.

Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys leads Hizbul Islam which is among the Islamist rebels fighting to topple the Transitional Federal Government.

Sheik Aweys called for al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden to stop meddling in Somalia affairs in March this year, while al Shabaab welcomed warmly his speech encouraging to the Insurgents to topple President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed.

This shows the difference between the two rebel groups.

The two groups have been fighting against the fragile government led by President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed together since May 2009.

But their dispute started when al Shabaab formed an administration in Kismayo unilaterally.

Mareeg Online