Somali Insurgents Seize Key Town

Somalia’s hardline Islamists rebels Al Shabaab have seized control of the key town of Jowhar, Radio Garowe has reported. Located 90km north of Mogadishu, Jowhar is the main gateway into central Somalia. Local and international media reports have indicated that the country's nascent government, which was installed just over three months ago under moderate Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, is fast losing territory to Al Shabaab and other allied groups.[PE]