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Somalia's Islamic Radicals Repel Attack on Kismayo
KISMAYO, Somalia (AP) - Islamic radicals repulsed an attack by pro-government forces to recapture a vital seaport and on Saturday took control of a sympathetic coastal town, in further signs of the central administration's weakening grasp.

A militia loyal to the defense minister tried to retake Kismayo, three weeks after losing Somalia's third-largest town to Islamic fighters who have seized the capital and most of the south. "We will continue to launch attacks until we recapture the city," Col. Abas Gurei, a commander for the defense minister, Col. Barre "Hirale" Aden Shire, told The Associated Press by telephone.

The fighting on the town's outskirts lasted for two hours as rival forces used heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, witnesses said. Three civilians and two fighters, one from each side, were injured, said Abdi Yusuf, an official from Kismayo's local hospital.
That's all? Who's training the machine gun operators?
The Islamic forces were pursuing Shire's retreating fighters toward the town of Barhani, some 30 miles west of Kismayo, Islamic Courts official Abdullahi Warsame said.

Armed Islamic militia were patrolling the streets and tensions remained high. "We are prepared for further attacks and we have put our forces on alert," Ahmed told reporters. "We will defend Kismayo."

The Islamic group continued to expand Saturday, with the symbolic takeover of Brava, a coastal town 125 miles southwest of the capital, and one of the small pockets in the south still outside their control. The town's leaders are sympathetic to the Islamic group, but pledged to hand over their weapons.
Posted by: Steve White 2006-10-15
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=168651