August 9, 2014-AFP reports heavy fighting between Somalia’s government troops and UN forces against al-Shabaab in the central Hiran region. Al-Shabaab spokesperson Abdulaziz Abu Musab told AFP that at least 18 fighters were killed and several wounded after attacking an AU base located 200 kilometers from Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab said that at least five were their own fighters.

According to AFP, fighting began around midnight on Friday and lasted about four hours.

The latest fighting took place amid warnings about a humanitarian crisis looming in Somalia.

The AFP also reported that a Somali journalist accused of killing fellow journalist was arrested in Kenya and is expected to be extradited to Somalia. He is believed to be a member of al-Shabaab.