MOGADISHU (Mareeg)—Al-Shabaab militants have reportedly took over the port town of Kismayo from its rival insurgent group Hizbul Islam after fierce fighting killed nine people, mostly combatants in the town, witnesses said on Thursday.
The seizure of Kismayo by al Shabaab comes after Anole rebel group allied to Hizbul Islam surrendered to al Shabaab and also a commander named Mo’alin Abbas killed from Hizbul Islam.
The defeated Hizbul Islam fighters have pulled out from the town and went to Afmadow town, where the have a base.
Nurses in Kismayo hospital confirmed that more than 50 people were inured in the fighting between the two groups.
Residents say calm has returned to town and the fighting has subsided. Fighters from al Shabaab militants are patrolling the town and captured all contested areas of the town.
