Col. Barre loses another town to the Islamic Courts

(SomaliNet) Col. Barre Adan Hirale who was defeated a few days ago after he tried to retake the port city of Kismayo which he lost earlier this month lost yet another strategic town this afternoon. Islamic Courts confirmed capturing Saakoow after the colonel and his army vacated it in without incident.

VHF radio operators in the region are saying Mr. Hirale and what’s left of his once formidable army have retreated to his clan’s stronghold town of Baardheere in nearby Gedo Province.

His next move and whether the Islamic Courts will follow him into Gedo are not known at this time. The courts declared war on Ethiopia and are very eager to gain control of Gedo province which lies along Somalia border with Ethiopia.

Mr. Barre controlled the third Somalia largest city, Kismayo and at least two provinces before the vibrant Islamic Courts who are invincible so far forced him to flee. He still holds his minister of defense title and will most likely go to Baidao where the ineffectual federal government is holed up.