20 Die as Somali Militants Capture Port

At least 20 people were killed Thursday as local clan militias fought to reverse an insurgent group’s takeover of the key southern Somali port of Kismayu. Commanders of the Islamist group, Al Shabaab, say they have taken control of 80% of Kismayu, while sources report that neither government soldiers nor their allied Ethiopian troops have attempted to recapture the port. Kismayu has experienced sustained street clashes between Al Shabaab fighters and clan militias loyal to local warlords since early 2007. [PE]