afrol News, 30 November - Combatants of Hizbu-Islam, another Islamist group opposing the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG), have fled into Kenya following the capture of a key town close to Kenya by al Shabaab.

Reports have said the overwhelmed Hizbul Islam militia laid their arms and joined hundreds of fleeing civilians, who have crossed the border into the UN-managed refugee camps in northeastern Kenya.

The Hizbul Islam militia officials have reportedly held meetings with top Kenyan security officials at the border between the two countries, where they were allowed to cross the border into Kenya’s capital, and are currently in the capital Nairobi.

This come as Kenyan Defence minister Yussuf Haji declared that his country is ready for any Al-Shabaab offensives along the border, adding that security forces have been deployed to the border.

Hizbul Islam group received its worst blow in recent days after they were ousted from Afmadow and Dobley, in southern Somali towns strategically located between Kenya and Somalia.

Al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Hassan Yaqub said the two rebel groups have been fighting the Western-backed government in the capital Mogadishu, but a battle for control of the lucrative southern port of Kismayo has pitted the former allies against each other.

The two groups, which have large presences in southern Somali regions, have in recent months been engaged in deadly warfare that is threatening the stability of the regions in the south.

Somalia has not had an effective central government for 18 years, although Puntland has set up a semi-autonomous government and the northern region of Somaliland has declared its independence.

About 19,000 civilians have been killed in fighting since the start of 2007 while another 1.5 million have been forced out of their homes.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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