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Islamists confirm total control of central Somalia town
Wed. August 09, 2006 08:21 am. -
Mohamed Abdi Farah
(SomaliNet) Islamic militia have captured on Wednesday the strong base of Yusuf Ahmed Hagar known as ‘Dab-Ged’ in central Beledwein town 335km north of the Somalia capital after gunfight with militia loyal to him – this asserts the total control of Beledwein by Islamists.
Heavily armed militiamen belong to the newly set up Iftin Islamic Court in Beledwein, the capital of Hiran region in central Somalia took control of the base of Yusuf Ahmed Hagar, who has been already nominated by the transitional federal government as the Governor of Hiran Region, but faced strong pressure from Islamic hardliners.
“We have shocked when we heard the sounds of gunfire exchanged by the rival sides, we could see Islamic militia men advancing towards the building of the regional authority in the center of the town,” an eyewitness told Somalinet.
The clashes happened around 7:00 am local time near the command center of Yusuf Daba-Ged, local official said.
Reports say the governor of Beledwein Yusuf Daba-Ged escaped with two pick up tracks mounted with heavy machineguns heading to the border of Ethiopia.
The skirmishes came as Daba-Ged who is pro-Ethiopian commander militia turned deaf ear to early warnings by Islamic Courts.
There are no immediate casualties from the latest clashes; it had an impact on the business activities in the town, with medical officials said no one was wounded in the battle.
But the commander militia of Iftin Islamic Court in Beledwein, Yusuf Makaran said there was no victim from the fighting.
The situation now resumed calm in Beledwein as Islamic militiamen deployed everywhere in the town.
The Islamists continue to extend their power in central of Somalia in a bid to confirm through out Somalia. The current advancing movements by Islamic Courts puts more pressure on the weak transitional federal government based in Baidoa, the capital town of Bay region in southwest Somalia.
News Category: Somalia
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