What was once a booming market place at the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, has now become a ghost town after battles between government troops and al-Shabab fighters wrecked havoc in the area.

Frequent attacks in the the Bakara market, the largest open-air market in the country, have caused hardships for many whose livelihoods depend on it.

Not far from the heavily guarded Presidential Palace, the market has been repeatedly hit by wayward shells from the warring sides.

Muhammed Vall reports.