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African Union peacekeepers have reportedly intervened directly in support of government forces in repelling anti-government fighters in the Somali capital Mogadishu.
A spokesman for the AU force, whose remit allows them only to protect government buildings and defend themselves if attacked, told Al Jazeera its latest actions were a "show of force" and not combat engagement.
At least 40 opposition fighters were reported to have been killed in a day of intense battles in the Somali capital on Sunday as fighters advanced into northern Mogadishu, close to the presidential palace.
Hospital officials say many women and children were among those wounded.
'Show of force'
The 4,300-strong AU peacekeeping force was visible on the streets on Sunday, but an AU spokesman denied engaging in direct combat.
Major Barigye Bahoku told Al Jazeera that his forces were involved in what he called "a show of force".
"We have not been engaged [in fighting]," he said.
"We moved around in our convoy, with our equipment. We are not supposed to be confined ... rather we are supposed to provide security for all of Mogadishu.
"So we moved in, we showed force and we went back to the base and the government forces are continuing with their work."
Government 'retakes' capital
Sheikh Yusuf Mohamed Siad, the Somali defense minister, said government forces had since regained control of central Mogadishu.
Witnesses and officials from the interim government said opposition groups advanced so close to the presidential palace that AU peacekeepers guarding it were drawn into the fight for the first time.
Mohamed Sheikh Nor, a journalist in Mogadishu, told Al Jazeera that the fighting was some of the worst in recent days.
"Somali government officials have been requesting the AU peacekeeping force in Somalia, especially in the capital Mogadishu, to be part of the fighting against the opposition fighters.
"But the AU, up until now, has been declining to comment" on why they have not accepted the government's request, he said.
The peacekeepers - from Burundi and Uganda - generally try to avoid being drawn into the conflict in order to preserve their neutrality.
Their mandate includes the defense of the capital's port, airport and key government buildings.
Fighters belonging to al-Shabab and other anti-government groups control large areas of southern and central Somalia and have boxed in government troops and the AU force into a few blocks of Mogadishu.
Sharif Ahmed, Somalia's president, is struggling to take control over the Horn of Africa nation from the fighters bent on overthrowing his Western-backed government.
PHOTO CAPTION
Africa Union peacekeepers man the entrance to the presidential palace in February in the embattled Somalia capital Mogadishu.
Al-Jazeera
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