Somalia: Fighting continues as government troops, Islamist militia battle for Central town

Fierce clashes have resumed between Somali government forces and members of the Ahlu Sunna waljama’a in Somalia’s central town of Guri’el, leaving several people dead.
Reports coming out of the town on Thursday said government troops had made a new attempt to capture Guri’el.
This came after Ahlu sunna waljama’a militia had gained control of the strategic town on Tuesday following a fierce clash with the Somali government troops.
Ahlu Sunna waljama’a is a paramilitary group consisting of moderate Sufis opposed to the radical Islamist groups such as Al-Shabaab in Somalia. It became prominent in 2008, when it took up arms against al-Shabaab after the radical group began destroying the tombs of the country’s Sufi saints.
Over the years, the group has been famous for supporting the Somali government but it has accused recently the government for marginalizing it.
In the latest fighting, at least six people have been confirmed to have died from both sides, according to credible sources in the town.
Somalia Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid had earlier called for both sides to stop the fighting and immediate truce to be reached.
On Tuesday’s battle, more than 15 people including civilians were reported to have died and almost 40 people wounded.
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