Fighting between Somali government forces and Islamist rebels in the capital Mogadishu killed at least 13 civilians today.
Rescue services said the death toll was likely to rise further.
The insurgents fired mortars at the city's airport from their stronghold in the crowded Bakara market, triggering return shell fire from African Union (AU) peacekeepers based at the airport and nearby.
"We have so far carried out 13 dead civilians and over 30 others who were injured. The death toll is higher and we are busy collecting casualties," said Ali Muse, the coordinator of ambulance services.
Somalia's fragile government controls just a few blocks in the capital and al-Shabaab rebels, who want to impose a harsh version of sharia law on the anarchic nation, control large swathes of southern and central Somalia.
The government has said for several months it will launch a major offensive against al-Shabaab rebels, who have professed loyalty to al-Qaeda, and Hizbul Islam militants.
Shells also landed around a strategic road junction known as K4 that links the airport to the residence of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed.
Reuters