Somalia was today (Sunday) embroiled in some of its fiercest fighting for nearly a year as government troops shelled advancing rebels in the capital, Mogadishu. The Islamist militia group al-Shabaab attacked government positions near the president's palace and four people were killed by return fire, witnesses said. The violence erupted in the Wardhigley district in the early hours, the third day of battles between the insurgents and government forces backed by African Union troops. At least 54 people were killed on Wednesday and Friday as rebels tried to destabilize the government before a long-awaited offensive aimed at dislodging the insurgents from Mogadishu. Rebels advanced to as close as one mile from the government-held area Friday, but have since been pushed back several blocks. An Associated Press reporter in Mogadishu said the fighting was the heaviest since last May, when insurgents trying to topple the weak, UN-backed government launched massive attacks. Civilians are often caught in crossfire or hit by off-target munitions. About half of Mogadishu's residents have already fled the city after two decades of conflict. Somalia has had no effective central government for 19 years and western and neighbouring countries say the country provides sanctuary for militants intent on launching attacks in east Africa and beyond. (Source: Guardian)