Reports from Somalia say Islamic fighters have seized a key town outside the capital, Mogadishu.
Witnesses and commanders say the Islamic militia took over Balad township Sunday after fighting with a faction in Somalia's warlord alliance. The number of casualties is not clear.
At least five people were killed Saturday during fighting for control of the area, 30 kilometers north of Mogadishu.
Balad had been under the control of one of the groups in the warlord alliance that many in Somalia believe is backed by the United States.
Fighting between the warring sides has killed more than 320 people in Mogadishu since the beginning of the year.
The Islamic courts say they can bring order to Somalia, which has not had an effective central government for more than 15 years.
The warlord alliance accuses the Islamic court militia of ties to al-Qaida.Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
