BAIDOA, Somalia, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Fighting flared between Somali government troops and Islamist fighters on Wednesday at a long-feared flashpoint of the brewing Horn of Africa war, residents said. Residents in the Islamist base of Buur Hakaba and the government's forward base in Dayunay said heavy shooting had erupted between the sides on the front, located between the two towns. The fighting was occurring about 25 km (15 miles) southeast of Baidoa, the government's surrounded stronghold.
