MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Relative calm returned to Beledweyne Monday following the takeover of administration of Beletwyene, the headquarters of the Hiiraan region in Central Somalia by militias allied to the so called Hiiraan Salvation Army.
Tension, however, remains in most parts of the town as rival forces can still be seeing patrolling strategic areas of the town.
Col. Abdullahi Barre Elmi, a Somali National Army commander who was recently sacked, was leading the group calling itself the Hiiraan Salvation Army.
According to local witnesses, the group has taken over all major government institutions.
Col. Elmi was formerly the head of SNA in the Hiiraan region before being stripped of his duties amid allegations that the Colonel was against president Gudlawe.
Another former SNA commandant General Ali Huud who has been leading a seperate faction against the Gudlawe administration, is reportedly taking charge of the airport.
Delegation led by Hirshabelle leader; Ali Gudlawe was expected to arrive in Beledweyne but no official statement over the fate of the trip was by Hirshabelle state authorities.
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