Somali militias boost forces

Hundreds of militants that are loyal to Hizbu Islam, one of the Islamist groups violently opposing the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, reached Mogadishu yesterday.

The strong force has been deployed to the capital to reinforce the militias already challenging government forces and peacekeepers serving the Africa Union Mission in Somalia, Amisom.

Armed with battle wagons and machine guns, the militants come from parts of Southern Somalia controlled by Hizbu Islam. Residents of Afgoye town, 30 km south of Mogadishu, confirmed the movement of the Islamist force. Hizbu Islam officials told the media that this is a special unit that aims to confront Amisom Peacekeepers and government army.