Somali Islamic Fighters Push Toward Next Warlord Stronghold
06 June 2006
Islamic fighters in Somalia are pressing toward the city of Jowhar after taking control of the capital, Mogadishu, on Monday.
Witnesses say the fighters are stationed about 20 kilometers south of Jowhar and awaiting orders to attack.
The city is a stronghold of the secular warlord coalition that fought the Islamists in Mogadishu.
Supporters of both sides held rallies in the capital today. Several hundred attended a rally where Islamic leaders vowed to bring Somalia under sharia (Islamic) law. More than 1,000 took part in a protest against the Islamists led by members of the Abgal clan.
Leaders of the warlord alliance insisted the battle for Mogadishu is not over, saying their forces will move to regain lost territory.
Mogadishu's Islamic Courts Union declared victory over the warlords on Monday, after their fighters pushed the warlords out of several local strongholds.
More than 350 people have been killed over four months of fighting in the capital.
A U.S. State Department spokesman says Washington is concerned that Somalia could become a haven for terrorists if the Islamic militias maintain control of Mogadishu.
The warlord alliance has accused the Islamic militias of having ties to al-Qaida.
But, Somali political leaders say the United States is backing the warlords, a charge U.S. officials will not confirm or deny.
The Islamic courts say they can bring order to Somalia, which has not had an effective central government for more than 15 years.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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