36 killed in violence in Puntland and Lower Shabelle regions

MOGADISHU - At least 36 people died on Tuesday in violence across Somalia that involved heavy fighting in the semi-autonomous state of Puntland and bomb explosions in the country's Lower Shabelle region, witnesses said.

In Puntland, heavy fighting broke out early Tuesday in the state capital Garowe as the local parliament debated changes to the voting system.

At least 26 people died in that fighting and 16 of those were soldiers, while 30 others were injured, Dr. Abdirsak Ahmed, who works at Garowe Public Hospital where some of the bodies were taken, told Reuters.

Three other witnesses described heavy fighting that erupted after opposition groups accused Puntland's leader, Said Abdullahi Deni, of seeking constitutional changes that would extend his term in office beyond January next year, or help tip the ballot in his favour.

The Puntland government said on Facebook that the regional parliament had voted to consider amendments to the constitution, and that further debates and votes would take place.

Reuters was not immediately able to reach local or federal officials for comment on the violence in Puntland, which lies along the country's northeast Indian Ocean coast.

"Fighting erupted immediately after the Puntland parliament voted for a one-man-one-vote election with multiple political parties," local elder Farah Osman said. "The lawmakers are still in the house, and a heavy exchange of fire is rocking the town. It is a very fierce battle".

"Garowe is full of opposing forces. All roads are closed, all business closed", Osman added.