Clashes between rival Somali militias kill 8

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Mogadishu, Somalia | AFP

Clashes between pro-government and separatist militias in a northeastern Somali region have killed at least eight people and wounded 24 more, a local elder said on Wednesday.

The fighting erupted late Tuesday in Puntland's Dhahar district, roughly 260 kilometres (160 miles) from the regional capital Garowe, between a militia aligned with the federal government and one connected to a push for independence.

Oil-rich Puntland declared its autonomy in 1998, and the region has had strained relations with the central government in Mogadishu.

"It seems that things are getting out of hand, already eight people from the two warring sides died and twenty-four others were wounded in the armed confrontation," local elder Abdiwahid Warsame said.

He told AFP by telephone that pro-government forces had begun to create their own militia, raising the ire of local clans opposed to Mogadishu, and this "led to armed confrontation".

"I saw the dead bodies of five combatants admitted at the hospital and dozens of wounded people," said witness Abdikarin Jama in Dhahar.

"There were tensions this morning, even though the fighting has stopped," he added by telephone.

Puntland regional police chief Jama Mohamud Gabere said the attacks were "organised from Mogadishu" and were an attempt to "cause violence and chaos".

Somalia urged restraint after "the unfortunate incident", but did not give any further details.