In one video, a fight between several men spills out onto the airport tarmac where idle planes are parked. Several men appear to have attacked an individual, who was tossed around the pavement several times before having punches and kicks rain down on him.

In another video, weary travellers look on as men hurl chairs, metal stanchion posts, and other projectiles across the customs and immigration checkpoint at one another.

Immigration Police are identifiable by their uniform black pants and white shirt, while the men dressed more casually are the plain-clothed intelligence officers.

While details remain sketchy, sources at the airport say the fight began when NISA agents insisted an individual - reportedly a foreigner - bypass the immigration checkpoint and passport control. The immigration officers refused the request, and emotions boiled over into a fistfight.

The exact number of injured in the fray is unknown.

An airport source told HOL that the "foreigner" wastravelling was most likely on the Turkish Airlines flight that landed just before the altercation.

Airport officials say there has been damage to windows, cameras and equipment.

Somali state television is reporting that thepolice are investigating and described the incident as ascuffle between airport staff.

Senior immigration and security officials are said to have intervened to resolve the dispute.