Somalia
Somalia: 15 killed in renewed Islamist clashes near Kismayo
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Oct 10, 2009 - 4:19:22 PM

KISMAYO, Somalia Oct 10 (Garowe Online) - At 15 people were killed in renewed clashes between Islamist rivals in southern Somalia, Radio Garowe reports.

The fighting erupted overnight Friday and again on Saturday morning in Bulo Haji, a village located 70km southwest of the port of Kismayo.

Al Shabaab hardliners who control Kismayo attacked Bulo Haji village, which is under the authority of fighters loyal to Hizbul Islam.

Many wounded Al Shabaab fighters are currently being treated at the Kismayo hospital, according to reliable sources.

Hizbul Islam fighters claimed to have killed a senior Al Shabaab figure identified as Farah Dahir Warsame, although the reports could not be independently confirmed.

Sheikh Hassan Yakub, the Al Shabaab spokesman in Kismayo, confirmed to reporters that the fighting occurred but declined to mention any casualties.

The renewed clashes come at a time of public utterances of a ceasefire agreement between Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, even though many suspect the involvement of Al Shabaab in the separate assassinations of three Hizbul Islam militia officers in and around Mogadishu on Friday. READ: Somalia: 3 Hizbul Islam members assassinated in Mogadishu area 

Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam have been jointly fighting Somalia’s UN-recognized interim government in Mogadishu since May. But internal fighting erupted between the Islamist rebel groups last week following a violent dispute over the control of Kismayo.

Source: Garowe Online