At least seven people were killed and 12 others wounded Monday when a gunfight broke out in Somalia between rival security forces during a food aid handout, police said.

At least seven people were killed and 12 others wounded Monday when a gunfight broke out in Somalia between rival security forces during a food aid handout, police said.

"There was an exchange of gunfire between policemen who were guarding a distribution site and members from the military," police officer Mohammad Burhan said, adding that seven civilians were killed in the crossfire in the clashes, just outside the capital Mogadishu. Witnesses said the dead included elderly women and children.