Somali Islamist militias clash over control of southern town near Kenyan border

Somali Islamist militias clash over southern town

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Residents in Somalia say two Islamist insurgent militias have clashed over control of a southern town.

Dhobley is only miles (kilometers) from the border with Kenya and near heavily forested land where fighters can easily hide.

Resident Dahir Siyad says hundreds of fighters from Hizbul Islam forced militants from al-Shabab out of town after a pre-dawn attack Thursday. The U.S. State Department says al-Shabab is a terrorist organization with links to al-Qaida.

Hizbul Islam and al-Shabab previously fought together against the U.N.-backed government. But they have recently clashed.

Somalia has not had an effective government since 1991 when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, then turned on each other.