Somalia: Islamic militants impose curfew in Kismayo

(SomaliNet) Islamic militants who seized control of Kismayo, Somalia\'s third largest city last month have imposed a curfew there, an official said on Tuesday.

The 9pm to 6am curfew is designed to ensure the southern port city of Kismayo is secure, Abdurrahman Ali Mohamed, who is in charge of Kismayo\'s security, said.

However, it also appeared to be a show of strength by the militant movement, which is trying to topple the nation\'s fragile government.

\"The curfew started on Monday night and will go on until we secure the town,\" said Mohamed.

In Mogadishu, the capital of the Horn of Africa nation, Reconciliation Minister Abdirisaq Hassan Ashkir dismissed the curfew, describing it as an \"oppression\".

\"I am confident that their dream will only last a short time,\" said Ashkir, referring to the Islamic militants\' recent takeover of Kismayo.

In August, the Islamic militants seized control of Kismayo after a three-day battle during which 70 civilians were reported killed.

Nearly two years ago, the Islamic courts movement launched an insurgency in this impoverished country, but Kismayo is the biggest city it has seized since early 2007.

The militants lost control of the capital and much of southern Somalia in December 2006, when Ethiopian troops, backing Somali soldiers, ousted them. - Sapa-AP