From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Thu Aug 20 2009 - 16:02:45 EDT
Somali insurgent groups retake towns from gov't forces
www.chinaview.cn 2009-08-20 23:41:30 Print
MOGADISHU, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Islamist rebels in Somalia have
retaken two main southern towns as heavy fighting in the center of the
war-torn country left almost 20 people, mostly fighters, dead and dozens
more wounded, officials and witnesses said on Thursday.
Following fierce battles, the Islamist insurgents of Al-Shabaaband
Hezbul Islam recaptured the southern Somali towns of Luuq and Bolu Hawo
in Gedo province, days after the two towns fell in the hands of the
Somali government forces and allied militia from a moderate sect.
"We took the towns with the help of Allah from the apostate forces.
We killed 12 of them and many more were wounded," Muse Arale, spokesman
for Hezbul Islam, told reporters in Mogadishu.
Residents in the towns confirmed the casualty figures which were
also reported by local media in Mogadishu.
Meanwhile, the Somali government forces and the Islamist movement of
Al-Shabaab were clashing in Beledweyn and Bolu Burteh towns in the
central Somali province of Hiran, 300 km north of Mogadishu.
Witnesses said the fighting broke out after the Somali government
forces attacked the town of Bulo Burteh where Al-Shabaab fighters are in
control while Islamist groups within Beledweyn, the provincial capital
of Hiran, began attacking the government forces stationed in the town.
Sources in the region said nearly eight people were killed in the
clashes in both towns which are now partly controlled by both sides.
Residents said dozens of civilians were also wounded in the latest
flareup of violence in the region.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/20/content_11919521.htm
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