Six civilian people have been killed in Beledweyn, central Somalia following fighting between the Ethiopian forces and the Somali insurgency.

The fighting started after the Ethiopian troops were deployed in the center of Beledweyn town early this morning.

Both heavy and light weapons have been used during the fighting which frightened the civilian population in the area and forced them to flee from their home in desperate search for more secure places.

Our correspondent in Hiraan says the Ethiopian forces shelled residential areas.

It is difficult to ascertain if the warring sides sustained any casualties.