Fighting between rival militias intensified Thursday in the Somali capital, with battles spreading across the city and at least 38 people dead and 90 wounded, medical sources and a militia commander said.

Somalia Islamic militia guard Sahafi Hotel after it was captured from those of the counter terrorism alliance in Somalia capital Mogadishu, May 25, 2006. Fresh clashes between rival Somali militias spread across Mogadishu on Thursday, killing up to 30 more people in the anarchic Horn of Africa nation's worst violence for years, witnesses said. [Reuters]

The latest fighting comes despite a May 14 cease-fire between Islamic militias and a rival alliance of secular warlords, who have been vying for control of the city. Witnesses say the fighting has spread from northern Mogadishu, which had been the scene of fierce battles in recent weeks, to the southern and eastern parts of the capital.

Reports from the Somali capital's main hospitals said at least 30 people were killed Thursday. Ali Mohamed Siyad, leader of an Islamic militia, said his group had lost eight combatants.

In addition, Medina Hospital said it had received 60 injured people and Keysaney Hospital 30.

Witnesses said Islamic militiamen had also taken over a key hotel that is owned by a member of the rival Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counterterrorism.

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