At Least 30 Killed in Central Somalia Fighting
VOA News 03 January 2010
The death toll is up to at least 30 from a battle between two Islamist groups in central Somalia.
The insurgent group al-Shabab attacked the town of Dhusamareb Saturday, trying to seize it from Ahlu-Sunna Wal-Jamaa, a group that backs the Somali government.
Al-Shabab claimed control of the town late Saturday, but Ahlu-Sunna says it beat back the assault and inflicted heavy casualties on al-Shabab's fighters.
Reports from the town Sunday say at least 30 people were killed and scores more were wounded in the battle.
This was the first fighting in Dhusamareb since Ahlu-Sunna took control of the town from al-Shabab in December 2008.
The town is in the Galgadud region, north of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. Witnesses say many residents have fled because they fear more violence.
Al-Shabab is trying to overthrow the Western-backed Somali government and establish an Islamic state. The group controls large parts of southern and central Somalia after a three-year insurgency.
The United States accuses of the group of having links to al-Qaida.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
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