MOGADISHU: At least 11 civilians were killed late Friday or overnight in fresh fighting in Mogadishu between Islamist insurgents and government forces, officials and witnesses said.

"Many people died yesterday in our neighbourhood: six civilians were killed in a mortar blast and three others were caught in the crossfire," Muktar Hasan Nur, a witness, said Saturday.

"No one is left around Sigale area this morning with all families who lived there fleeing."

Another witness, Abshir Muse, said two other civilians were also killed in Bakara neighbourhood where artillery fire struck.

"We did not sleep last night because of the heavy artillery; every family took cover under concrete buildings and I saw two civilians who were killed by shrapnel," Muse said

The latest toll brings to more than 80 the number of civilians killed since the fighting erupted Monday.

Al Qaeda-inspired Shebab fighters have stepped up their attacks against Somali government forces and their African Union backers in a bid to cut off the only road that directly links the presidential palace to the rest of the city the government controls.

BDST: 1344 HRS, August 28, 2010