At least eight people were killed when insurgents from the Hizbul Islam and al Shabaab rebel groups took a town in central Somalia from pro-government militia, residents and a rights group said.
More than a dozen others were injured when the rebels struck Baladweyne, capital of the Hiiran region, taking it from Islamist group Ahlu Sunna Waljamaca.
"At least eight people were killed and 21 others were injured around Baladweyne. All these casualties took place in the suburbs of the town," Ali Yasin Gedi, vice chairman of the Elman human rights group said.
One resident said the insurgents looted offices of the World Food Programme (WFP) and Save the Children aid agencies.
WFP said this month it was suspending much of its work in parts of the conflict-torn country.
Reuters