BELETWEIN, Somalia Sep 28 (Garowe Online) - Somali government forces have seized control of the provincial town of Beletwein after brief skirmishes with Hizbul Islam insurgents, Radio Garowe reports.

The fighting erupted Monday morning after government forces entered Beletwein from two directions and clashed with Hizbul Islam rebels.

Most of the fighting was concentrated at the center of Beletwein, the provincial capital of Hiran region, including the town's central administration building and the police station.

There were no reliable reports of casualties but at least 1 civilian was wounded during the armed clashes, which stopped after Hizbul Islam rebels withdrew from Beletwein.

Hundreds of people poured onto the streets afterwards to watch Somali government forces take full control of the town's key areas, including the main bridge that connects Beletwein's eastern and western neighborhoods.

'Looting'

A second round of fighting erupted midday Monday after Somali government troops rolled into Beletwein's western neighorborhoods.

The fighting started after gunmen loyal to businesspeople in west Beletwein began fighting the government troops, whom they accused of "looting" local businesses.

At least 4 Somali soldiers were wounded during Monday's second battle, including a senior military commander named Salad Hared, according to government sources.

Currently, government troops and the militias are facing off across Beletwein's main bridge and sporadic gunfire could still be heard inside the town.

Local sources said there were "more casualties" during the second round of fighting, but the reports could be independently verified.

Meanwhile, there is no information as to the whereabouts of Sheikh Abdirahman Ibrahim Ma'ow, the Islamist governor of Hiran region who switched loyalty from the Somali government to Hizbul Islam rebels last week. READ: Pro-government Islamist figure joins opposition

Somali government forces were accused of looting businesses in west Beletwein last month when they seized control of the town from insurgents.

Source: Garowe Online