Islamist rebels in Somalia have retaken two main southern towns as heavy fighting in the center of the war-torn country left almost 20 people, mostly fighters, dead and dozens more wounded, officials and witnesses said on Thursday.

Sheikh Ali Mohamoud Rageh, spokesman for the Somali insurgent group of Al-Shabaab, attends a press conference in Mogadishu, Somali, on Aug. 20, 2009.[Xinhua]

Following fierce battles, the Islamist insurgents of Al-Shabaaband Hezbul Islam recaptured the southern Somali towns of Luuq and Bolu Hawo in Gedo province, days after the two towns fell in the hands of the Somali government forces and allied militia from a moderate sect.

"We took the towns with the help of Allah from the apostate forces. We killed 12 of them and many more were wounded," Muse Arale, spokesman for Hezbul Islam, told reporters in Mogadishu.

Residents in the towns confirmed the casualty figures which were also reported by local media in Mogadishu.

Meanwhile, the Somali government forces and the Islamist movement of Al-Shabaab were clashing in Beledweyn and Bolu Burteh towns in the central Somali province of Hiran, 300 km north of Mogadishu.

Two insurgents from the Somali rebel group of Al-Shabaab hold the group's flag at a press conference in Mogadishu, Somali, on Aug. 20, 2009.[Xinhua]

Witnesses said the fighting broke out after the Somali government forces attacked the town of Bulo Burteh where Al-Shabaab fighters are in control while Islamist groups within Beledweyn, the provincial capital of Hiran, began attacking the government forces stationed in the town.

Sources in the region said nearly eight people were killed in the clashes in both towns which are now partly controlled by both sides. Residents said dozens of civilians were also wounded in the latest flareup of violence in the region.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2009)