At least 35 die in four days of fighting in Somalia

Mogadishu(TF.SF) - At least 35 people have died in central Somalia during four days of fighting between rival Islamist groups, a human rights official said Thursday. The pro-government Ahlu Suna Waljama group has been battling insurgent group Hizbul Islam in the town of Beledweyene. More fighting has been waged against Hizbul Islam ally al-Shabaab - which the West says has close links to al-Qaeda - in a nearby settlement. Both insurgent groups are fighting to topple the weak Western- backed government. "We have heard from our own sources that at least 35 people have been killed in both towns during the past four days," Ali Sheikh Yasin, deputy chairman of Elman Peace and Human Rights, a human rights watchdog, told the German Press Agency dpa. "The casualties may increase."Thousands of civilians fled Beledweyne during the fierce fighting, which took place in the streets of the town. "This was the worst gun battle I have ever experienced," Qadija Abdi Hassan, a mother of five who fled the town, told dpa. "I don't know where to go and how to survive."Beledweyene was calm on Thursday, but locals were worried that fighting was ready to recommence. "The situation seems tense, because most of the people fled the town," Mo'alim Dirie Ibrahim, an elder in Beledweyne, told dpa. "Both sides are regrouping to engage in fresh battles , Somalia has been embroiled in chaos  since 1991, when hawiye clan (USC) Somaliland EEDOOR clan (SNM)ogaden clan (ONLF) militias rebalance tha somalia government Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre administration . then fought for power among themselves. hawiye Warlordism, terrorism (al shabaa)Terrorist (ONLF)Terrorist (TRIBILISM) Replaces the somali government.Over 19,000 people have died in the current insurgency, which kicked off in early 2007 after Ethiopian force oust an Islamist regime that ruled for six months in 2006.Oct 3, 1993: 18 American Rangers killed and 75 wounded in battle with USC/sna – (SNA: Somali national alliance) hawiye militia . Terrorist mohamed Farah Aideed hawiye warlord .