Forces of the Somali faction leader Hussein Aideed have recaptured the southern town of Baidoa from a rival militia after the arrival of reinforcements from the capital, Mogadishu.

The Rahanwein Resistance Army, which took the town on Thursday, confirmed the loss, but said it still held the airstrip.

About forty people are reported to have been killed.

The two sides are still fighting for control of Bur Hakaba, a town on the road to Mogadishu.

It's the latest of numerous clashes in Somalia since the main faction leaders signed a peace accord in Cairo in December.