Shabaab on the offensive in Somalia

The newly formed Somali government is in danger of being ousted from its remaining strongholds in Mogadishu and central Somalia as Shabaab and Hizbul Islam took control of a key city.Shabaab and Hizbul Islam , Jowhar falls to THE HANDS OF AL-SHABAAB TERRORISTS in Hiran province after several days of fighting with the pro-government Islamic Courts. Dozens civilians and fighters from both sides were killed as the rival Islamist groups battled for control of the region.Shabaab, or the Somali Youth Movement, is an al Qaeda-backed Islamicn terror group that has lobbied to join the international terrorist organization. Hizbul Islam was created in January of this year. The group was created by the merger of four separate Islamic groups: Hassan Aweys’ Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia-Eritrea, Jabhatul Islamiya (the Islamic Front), Mu'askar Ras Kamboni (the Ras Kamboni Brigade), and Anole. Hizbul Islam was led by Sheik Omar Iman Abu Bakar but was ousted by Aweys for being too moderate.Shabaab is also battling the pro-government Ahlu Sunna Waljama Islamist militia Wabho and Mahas in the central province of Galgadud. Wabho is described as a "military town" by local villagers. More than two dozen people are reported to have been wounded during the heavy fighting...more..http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/05/shabaab_on_the_offen.php