DHUSAMAREB (Sh.M .Network)-At least 22 people were killed Sunday in renewed clashes between Al-shabab insurgent group and local militias over the control of towns in central Somalia, witnesses said.

Residents say eight people were killed in Gelinsor town in Galgadud region about 590 kilometres (354miles) north of Mogadishu when local militias attacked Islamist groups that were controlling the town.

Locals in Dhusamareb, the provincial capital of Galgadud region 500 kilometers (300miles) north of Mogadishu also say twelve people were killed and dozens wounded when local militia, an Islamist group known as Ahlu-Suna, attacked the Shebab fighters who had seized control of the town.

Spokesman for Ahlu-Sunna, Sheik Abdulkadir Ashari told radio Shabelle they attacked Dhusamareb to seize the town from what he called the modern (Khawarij) literally "Those who Went Out” referring to Al-shabab and he accused of forcing people to adopt their interpretation of Islam.

One of Al-shabab officials, Sheik Hussein told radio Shabelle that they lost two of their fighters in Sunday’s fighting in Dhusamareb and vowed they will continue fighting.

Reports from central Somalia indicate that two people were killed and four others wounded in Miroled Village after clan militias opened fire on a car that was traveling in the Village.

On Saturday, at least 10 people were killed mostly fighters in clashes between the two groups over the control of Guriel, a trading town in central Somalia.

In other news Al-shabab imposed a night curfew in Marka town 90 kilometers south of Mogadishu and it is unknown the reason behind it.

Al-Shabab have made the greatest territorial gains in the past few months and Ethiopian troops supporting the government are expected to pull out within days after a two year deployment.

Shabelle Media network

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By: Ahmednor Mohamed Farah