The terrorist believed to be the head of al-Qaida in Somalia and 10 others have been killed in a US air attack.

An Islamic militant group said today the man believed to be the head of al-Qaida in Somalia had been killed in a US air strike along with eight other people.

Hundreds of residents fled their homes today during a second day of fighting between Islamic insurgents and Somali and Ethiopian troops in which at least four people were killed and six wounded.