Somali government troops capture southern town

BAIDOA, Somalia, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Somali government troops took control of a southern town from Islamist rebels on Friday in fighting which killed five people, a local official said. "We have launched fierce attacks on Islamists in order to retake the towns they have previously captured," Mohamed Maalim, chairman of the Hudur Bakool region told Reuters. "We shall continue the fighting until we completely eradicate Islamists from these regions," he said. more,,http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LO200789.htm

Six killed in Somalia clashes: witnesses

MOGADISHU (AFP) – At least six people, including a UN security guard, died when Somali government forces attacked Islamists-controlled towns in the lawless African state, witnesses and an official said Friday.
The forces attacked Berdale township, some 310 kilometres (490 miles) southwest of the capital, sparking clashes that claimed five lives."Three Islamic fighters and two Somali government soldiers were killed in the fighting which took place outside the town," said Mohamed Aw Mumin, an elder in the town."The fighting has stopped, but both sides are still facing off," he told AFP.Somali government officer, Colonel Abdi Moalim, said his forces took control of the town.
"We fought them fiercely... and lost two soldiers. Now we are in the town," he added. more,,http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081024/wl_africa_afp/somaliaunrest_081024193830