(Press TV) — The Islamic Courts Union (ICU) has captured ninety percent of south Somalia, a leader of the body, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed says.

In an interview with Aljazeera TV on Monday, he said that the union has taken 90% of south Somalia under its control to date.

The comments are made as the southern parts of the country have been engulfed in flames of war and unrest.

On Monday, a clash erupted between two clans near port city of Kismayu, leaving 5 civilians dead and 13 others injured, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Also on the same day, 8 civilians and 4 government soldiers were killed as armed man attacked a government check point in northern Mogadishu's Siinay district.

In another incident, Ethiopian Woyanne soldiers were hit by land mine explosions in Baidoa in the country's south-central region, 256 kilometers northwest of the capital, Mogadishu.

The explosions left several soldiers killed and injured but the number of casualties have not yet been known.

Seven civilians are reportedly killed as the soldiers opened fire after the explosions.

Until the end of 2006, the Islamic Courts Union controlled most of southern Somalia and the vast majority of its population, including most major cities such as Kismayo and Mogadishu.

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