MOGADISHU, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Three people were killed and four others wounded in fighting in Somalia's capital Mogadishu where residents say violence has increased as warlords vie for position before the country's new government arrives.
Residents said on Monday the overnight clash in the city's northern Shibis neighbourhood erupted after gunmen tried to extort protection payments in an area controlled by a rival militia.
"We have prepared our young boys to defend and secure our homeland zones of the Shibis district, so why should we pay this new money?" Shibis elder Ahmed Dhuhulow asked Reuters.
Officials said one man's body was taken to a local hospital, while residents reported finding the bodies of two other gunmen.
Somalia's new President Abdullahi Yusuf has yet to return to Mogadishu after being elected in the security of neighbouring Kenya last month.
Residents said insecurity in parts of the capital had increased since then as rival warlords fought to claim new territory before his administration is installed in Somalia.