Somali government forces have attacked opposition fighters in southern Mogadishu, killing at least five people in an attempt to drive rebels from the capital.
Witnesses said four members of Somalia's al-Shabab group had been killed and a journalist from Shabelle Radio, a local independent station, was also killed in the crossfire.
Farhan Mahdi, a Somali military spokesman said: "This is a large military offensive against violent people.
"The government will sweep them out of the capital and the fighting will continue until that happens."
The government has claimed that it has regained control of three areas of the capital - Tarbunka, Bakara and Howlwadag - since the battles began before dawn.
Al-Shabab has denied the claims.
Sheikh Ali Mahmoud Rage, a spokesman with al-Shabab, said: "The enemy of Allah attacked our positions this morning and our fighters are defending themselves.
"They have not not taken any positions from us."
Reporters confirmed that several bodies had been left on the ground and eight civilians had been injured while trying to escape.
The government says it is unlikely that negotiations with al-Shabab will prove fruitful.
In the past 10 days, more than 100 people have died and 46,000 have been displaced as the fighting continues to escalate.
For 18 years groups have fought against the government, the most recent led by Sharif Sheikh Ahmed who was elected president in January under UN-sponsored talks.
Earlier this week an East African group called on the United Nations to impose an aerial and maritime blockade to prevent the rebels from acquiring more weapons.
Source: Aljazeera
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