Islamic militants control key Somali port

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Islamic militants say they have seized control of Somalia's third largest city after three days of fighting that left about 70 people dead and saw thousands flee Kismayo. The Islamic courts movement, which controlled the capital, Mogadishu, and much of the south for six months in 2006, said Saturday that it wrested control of the southern port city of Kismayo from clan militias. About 70 people were killed during the fighting which started Wednesday and 170 were wounded, said Dr. Ali Hassan of Kismayo Hospital. "Medicine is scarce and there is only one doctor and a few nurses. That shows how we are unable to cope," said Hassan.