A factional group in Somalia says it's involved in a battle with a rival group for the control of the south-central town of Baidoa.

A spokesman for the Rahanwein Resistance Army told the French news agency that nearly thirty people have been killed -- mostly fighters from both sides but some civilians had also died.

The RRA spokesman said the fighting was escalating as the rival group, forces loyal to Hussein Mohamed Aidid, had sent reinforcements.

Another RRA spokesman -- in Nairobi -- said his group had launched the attack in an effort to regain territory it had lost to the Aidid group in 1995.

A spokesman for the Aidid group wouldn't go into detail but confirmed that clashes were taking place.