Mogadishu, July 12, 2009, 7:50 PM-ET, (SOMINA- At least 21 civilians were killed and more than 70 others were injured in Mogadishu clashes Sunday as the country’s president claimed victory over the latest clashes.

“You can se the armed forces of the government controlling most parts of the contested areas in the capital today, this is really a legible victory that we gained over the rebels”, the president said in a press conference at the presidential palace.

The president denied that AU forces keeping peace in the capital involved the Sunday clashes.

 “We don’t have any information indicating that the African union peacekeepers involved the battle, it was only the Somali government that took the responsibility to crack on the violent people”, he added.

“Our staff collected 19 dead bodies and more than 70 injured civilians today, it was really very busy day and the hospitals were overwhelmed by the victims of the fighting”, Ali Muse, the capitals head of medical volunteers told reporters.

The clashes led Somali government forces gain ground taking control of the most parts in the contested areas.