Al Jazeera English correspondent reportedly arrested in Somalia

Al Jazeera English correspondent Hamza Mohamed has reportedly been arrested by Somalia's national intelligence agency in the capital Mogadishu.

According to reports by Somalian Radio Dalsan station, Banadir's regional state spokesperson Abdifatah Halane confirmed on Tuesday that the Somali Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) arrested Mohamed and two accompanying crew members as they entered the city.

He added that two of their drivers were released after questioning.

Mohamed, who is said to be held at the intelligence prison in Mogadishu, had reportedly interviewed senior figures of armed groups in the country, according to Radio Dalsan.

Shortly after his arrest, social media users and some of Mohamed's followers called for his immediate release using the hashtag #FreeHamza.

Meanwhile, on the same day an attack al-Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabaab killed at least 10 people, including civilians.

Witnesses and officials reported heavy clashes between the militants and Somali troops in the strategic town of Afgoye, which lies just 30 kilometres north-west of Mogadishu.

The main target of the assault was a police post attacked with a car packed with explosives, and Somali army posts. Heavy exchanges of fire were also heard around the town.