BELETWEIN, Somalia Oct 10 (Garowe Online) - Hizbul Islam rebels in central Somalia attacked a government military outpost on Friday, with emerging reports saying that at least one soldier died in the attack, Radio Garowe reports.

The attack took place in Mataban district, the central Hiran region, where Somali government forces expelled from the Hiran provincial capital Beletwein last month were regrouping and had reportedly established a control checkpoint.

It is not clear which road Hizbul Islam fighters used to reach Mataban, especially since Somali government forces are based at Kala-Beyr junction north of Beletwein on the main north-south highway. Unconfirmed reports said there are Ethiopian troops at the Kala-Beyr junction.

Meanwhile, Hizbul Islam fighters have established base at the El Gal military camp i the outskirts of Beletwein where Somali government forces used to be based. Military tensions remain high in Hiran region as different groups undertake military maneuvers.

Beletwein remains calm under the control of Hizbul Islam rebels. Somalia's UN-recognized interim government is weak and controls pockets of the national capital, Mogadishu.

Somali insurgent groups control most regions in south-central Somalia, but insurgent attacks against government targets in Mogadishu have decreased significantly since last week's eruption of war between Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam.

Source: Garowe Online