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Feb. 17 (All Africa News) - At least five people were killed and several others injured when Hizbul Islam fighters engaged Al-Shabab fighters in the Somali border town of Dhobley near the Kenyan border, officials and witnesses said.
The fighting erupted overnight as fighters loyal to Hizbul Islam's high ranking official Sheikh Ahmed Madobe attacked the town, but met with resistance from Al-Shabab.
"The fighting was intense, we were worried but the situation has calmed down at the moment," said Ahmed Warsame, a resident.
Al-Shabaab officials said the town is still under their control after they successfully repelled the attackers.
The fighting is part of the heightening enmity between the armed Somali groups, which control much of the country's south and central.
Early this month, the same fighters from Hizbul Islam led by Sheikh Madobe attacked the town in a bid to recapture.
The clashes come as Al-Shabab claims to have captured Diif, a border town near Kenya from Hizbul Islam.
