Islamist militants on Sunday attacked local clan fighters manning a checkpoint in southern Somalia, touching off clashes that claimed two lives, witnesses said.

Heavily-armed Islamic Courts Union militants clashed with their rivals loyal to the former Lower Shabelle administration at a checkpoint near Elashabiyaha town, 18 kilometres (11 miles) south of the capital Mogadishu.

`We carried out operations to eliminate illegal checkpoints set up by clan militias,` said Abdirahin Isse Ado, a spokesman for the ICU.

Witnesses said a militiaman and a civilian were killed in the fighting.

`I saw a militiaman killed by the Islamists and a civilian was caught in the crossfire and killed. Two other people were also injured,` Ahmed Abdulahi, a witness, told AFP

`There was brief exchange of gunfire and the local clan militias who were manning the checkpoint in Elashabiyaha were defeated,` said Hassan Muktar, another witness.

Several witnesses confirmed the death toll.

Somalia has lacked an effective government since the 1991-ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre set off bloody power struggles that have defied numerous UN-backed bids to restore stability.