Mogadishu (dpa) – Somalia's militant Islamist group al-Shabab seized control early Tuesday of the key central town of Dhusamareb, which had been held by a pro-government militia. Residents said al-Shabaab fighters drove out the moderate Islamist group Ahlu Sunnah wal Jamaa, although fighters were reportedly regrouping for a counterattack. Casualty figures were not immediately available, and residents said they were fleeing in anticipation of further fighting. Ahlu Sunnah has been a key player, providing a strong force in central Somalia countering al-Shabab's attempts to oust the internationally backed government. The al-Qaeda-linked insurgent group has been on the back foot since early 2011, ceding ground across the country while coming under pressure from African Union, Kenyan and Ethiopian forces. However, in recent weeks it has shown that reports of its impending demise may be exaggerated, launching deadly attacks on Ethiopian and pro-government forces in the capital Mogadishu and around the country. Al-Shabab's insurgency began in 2007 and is the latest episode in more than two decades of continuous strife since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/rHfLq Tags: Fighting, Militants, Shabab, Somalia Section: East Africa, Latest News
