Somalia: Who are Hizbul Islam?
Somali insurgent group Hizbul Islam seized the pirate haven of Haradhere on Sunday without a fight and pledged to take control of more towns in the region, the rebel group said. Here are some key facts about the group:
The group was founded on Feb. 4, 2009. Hizbul Islam is an umbrella organisation of four groups led by cleric Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, who has been an influential figure among Islamists.
The four groups` leaders had previously participated in the Union of Islamic Courts administration of Somalia in 2006. The Islamists ruled the capital Mogadishu and much of Somalia in 2006, until they were defeated in Dec. 2006 by Ethiopian troops and Somali government forces. The Islamists have since regained control of much of the territory from which they were expelled.