Islamist insurgents on Sunday overpowered government troops in Kamsuma, 430km south of the capital, with less resistance after the troops ran away soon after they received reports that Islamist rebels were going to Kamsuma on Sunday, residents told APA.
Kamsuma, is the provincial capital of Lower Jubba, was managed by clan militias backed by the government soldiers but who were said to have swiftly ran away before the Islamist reached in the town.
“The troops ran away without taking part in any fighting. We heard some exchange of fire but it looked like a signal to drive the soldiers out of the capital and the Islamists later poured into the town from the outskirts,” said Ibrahim Dheere, one of the local elders in Kamsuma, who spoke to APA by telephone.
Officials of the Islamist, who led the insurgents to capture the town, gave a speech to the people who gathered in a clearing in the town.
“Today is an important day for us because we chased the group who are obeying the infidel Ethiopians and the puppet TFG. Our aim is to manage the town with Islamic law and to give you security. I am calling on you to support the Islamists and to attack the Ethiopians and their puppets,” Sheikh Ishaak Abu-Muslim, commander of the group that captured the town reportedly told the people.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Islamist insurgents overran the important town of Jillib in Jubba region, 40km south of Mogadishu. They killed three clan militias and took control of the place and reports say that the town is still under their control.
Two days before, Islamist insurgents also captured Dinsor, about 60 km north of Baidoa, the base of the Somali parliament which almost all the government members parliament are based.
Somalia had been plunged into anarchy after the overthrow of Dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, when warlords used their clan based militias to fight each other for power, leading to constant inter-clan war and the death of thousands of, people and the displacement of millions.
Source African Press Agency
