Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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July 26, 2009

Somali Government Forces Take Over Key Town
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=25946CE:A6F02AD83191E16081C182BA6410EDFCE55ED32ED25AB8F6&
 
Somali government forces have taken full control of a strategic town
where a Cabinet minister was killed by rebels last month 
Somali government forces have taken full control of a strategic town
where a Cabinet minister was killed by rebels last month. Somali
Islamist militants carry their weapons as they patrol the streets of
northern Mogadishu (File)Government officials and residents say hundreds
of soldiers entered western parts of Beledwenye early Sunday after
exchanging gunfire with militants who withdrew. At least one soldier was
reported to be injured. Beledweyne, the capital of Hiran province, lies
near Somalia's border with Ethiopia, about 300 kilometers north of
Mogadishu. Last month, a suicide bombing in the town killed Somalia's
national security minister and 20 others. The Islamist militant group
al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack. Al-Shabab and an allied
group, Hizbul Islam, are fighting to topple the Somali government and
set up a strict Islamic state. Hundreds have died since the groups
launched an offensive in Mogadishu in early May. Since then, more than
220,000 people have fled the Somali capital. Somalia has endured nearly
two decades of war and conflict since the fall of the country's last
stable government in 1991.Some information for this report was provided
by AP.


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