Somali militia, former government ally, captures two towns from federal forces

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - A militia previously allied to the Somali government in its fight against militant group al Shabaab has captured two towns in central Somalia from federal forces, saying it was taking control where the government had failed to end the insurgency.

On Thursday, Somali federal forces attacked the Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama'a (ASWJ) militia in Galmudug state, culminating in fighting that saw its troops ousted from the towns of Mataban and Guriceel, spokespeople for both ASWJ and the Somali National Army (SNA) told Reuters.