Islamic Court opens near Mogadishu

The development is a blow to Somalia's interim government, which is backed by thousands of Ethiopian troops and African Union peacekeepers.
Since arriving in Mogadishu 17 months ago, the government has faced a bloody insurgency in the capital and other parts of the country, including ambushes, assassinations and roadside bombings.
In recent months, gunmen loyal to the Islamic Courts have seized control of several towns in the central and southern regions of Somalia.
The government, which spends massive resources defending the fortress in Mogadishu, has taken no action as Islamists continue to seize power in the countryside. More...