MOGADISHU (Mareeg)—Al Shabaab militants have taken control of north Mogadishu on Tuesday after Hizbul Islam militias pulled out from the area, witnesses say.

The Shabaab militia has reportedly captured trenches and defensive positions in north Mogadishu after Hizbul Islam left them early on Tuesday.

It is not known the motive behind the withdrawal of Hizbul Islam militias, but there have been wars between al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam in southern Somalia towns recently.

The move comes as 20 fighters with a battle wagon from Hizbul Islam defected to the government.

The government displayed the fighters from Hizbul Islam and the battle wagon they were traveling with on Tuesday in Mogadishu.

A militia commander of Hizbul Islam was assassinated by suspected al Shabaab on Friday in Eelasha Biyaha about 20 km south of Mogadishu.

The two groups are fighting against the Somali fragile government led by president Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed.

Mareeg Online