16 civilians die in fighting in Somali capital

MOGADISHU, Somalia – An emergency official in the Somali capital says at least 16 civilians were killed during fighting between Islamist insurgents and pro-government forces.

Ambulance service chief Ali Muse said Wednesday that 47 others were also wounded across the city, including 37 who were hurt when three artillery shells hit the city's largest market.

Mogadishu has seen much bloodshed since Somalia's central government dissolved into anarchy in 1991.

Islamist insurgents have been trying for more than three years to topple a U.N.-backed, weak government that controls only a few blocks of the capital.