There has been heavy fighting in a disputed Somali region which has left more than 40 people dead.

Fighting in the area first erupted in 2004 but the latest clashes come just after a peace deal in the Sool Region which is claimed by both the self-declared republic of Somaliland and Puntland - an autonomous region of Somalia.

The governor of the Sool region, Abdirashid Hussein, says the fighting started shortly after dawn on Monday and lasted all day as two rival sub clans shot at each other using heavy weapons mounted on the backs of vehicles.

He said more than 80 people were also injured, leaving health facilities overwhelmed.

Lengthy peace talks between rival factions of the Dul Bahante clan ended with a ceasefire deal just 10 days ago.

The mediator of those talks has appealed for both sides to agree to a new ceasefire to end the fighting which has scattered hundreds of nomadic herders and their livestock.