Islamists Fighting Among Each Other in Somalia

Causes of conflict remain unclear

Heavy fighting has taken place between rival factions of Somalia's militant Islamist group al-Shabab near the key coastal town of Brava, witnesses say.

Six militants, including two foreigners, were killed in the gun-battle at dawn, they told the BBC.

Al-Shabab denied there had been any fighting within its ranks.

If confirmed, these would be the first clashes between rival factions of the al-Qaeda linked group since its launched an insurgency in 2006.

On Wednesday, at least 15 people were killed in an attack by al-Shabab on the UN offices in the capital, Mogadishu.