Mogadishu, Somalia ? Hundreds of Somalis fled their homes Wednesday after an Islamic militia that controls much of southern Somalia clashed with gunmen from an opposing clan at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the capital.

The Islamic militia battled gunmen Tuesday who had been extorting money from drivers just outside Mogadishu, killing six people – including three civilians and three gunmen from a secular clan. By Wednesday, the clan had regrouped and deployed hundreds of fighters to the southern part of the city, raising fears of fresh fighting.

“We have left our house because we are afraid to be trapped between the opposing militias,” said Sahra Yusuf, a mother of six.

Somalia has been without an effective central government since warlords toppled dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. Many of the capital’s residents applauded the Islamic group for forcing the warlords from Mogadishu, despite concerns the militia may try to install a hard-line Islamic regime.