Somalia: Islamists capture southern town

  1. Posted on Monday 23 November 2009 - 10:30
    Muhyadin
    Muhyadin Ahmed Roble, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya
    Somali Islamist group, Al-shabaab, have captured the country's southern town of Afmadow on Sunday after fighting killed 14 people, according to local residents. Afmadow, a town in lower juba region, some 100km north of Kismayo, a key port city in southern Somalia used to be controlled by Hizbul Islam group.
    Somalia fighters_Mohammed Odowa
    The Al-Qaeda-inspired Al-shabaab fighters attacked the base of Hizbul Islam in Afmadow town. Local resident told AfricaNews that Al-Shabaab fighters invaded the city from three different directions.

    Al-Shabaab commander Mohamed Ali Shuqul told Reuters by telephone from Afmadow, near the border with Kenya that: "We are now in the town".

    A resident in Afmadow told AFP that: "There could be renewed fighting because the Hezb al-Islam fighters are regrouping to recapture the town."

    Islamist rivals Al-shabaab and Hizbul Islam have however fought together against the Somali government and the AU peace-keeping forces in Somalia.

    Somalia has not had an effective government since warlords overthrew Dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

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