200811142280 | Somali Islamists impose Sharia law in captured town

Somali Islamists impose Sharia law in captured town

Mogadishu - Somalia's Islamist Shebab fighters on Thursday imposed Sharia law in a port south of the capital Mogadishu which they seized from local clan militia a day earlier. Hours after taking over Merka town, about 100km south of Mogadishu early on Wednesday, Shebab commander Mohamed Sheikh Abdi Muse ordered traders to close businesses during prayer time.

"Our aim is to implement Islamic Sharia in the region and everybody should know that we are equal," Muse told a crowd of residents.

"No one will be more important than the other and people should respect each other by obeying the orders of Allah."

Many locals welcomed the Shebab's takeover of the town, accusing the ousted local gunmen of extortion and blaming them for rising insecurity.

"We need peace and stability. Let them impose strict rules," said Mohamed Abdullahi, a resident.

The Shebab said they would not disrupt operations at Merka port, a key entry point for the international food aid urgently needed by more than a third of Somalia's population.

"We will not hamper humanitarian workers and their activities. What we need is to implement Sharia law but not to harm the people," said Sheikh Mohamed Isak, a Shebab leader.

Islamists have made significant military gains in recent months, leaving the embattled western-backed transitional federal government only in control of some parts of the capital Mogadishu and Baidoa, where parliament is seated.