Somali militia group moves in on town that serves as pirate lair; hundreds of pirates leave

Somali militia group moves in on pirate town

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Witnesses say that fighters from a Somali militia group have moved into the northern town of Haradhere, a town on the coast that is a pirate lair.

Mohamed Abdi Aros, head of Hizbul Islam operations, says that his fighters entered the town Sunday. The move of the militia into this strategic pirate den raises the specter of an insurgent attempt to close down the piracy trade.

Resident Suleyman Mumin said that hundreds of pirates were seen leaving the town hours before the militia moved in. He said they rode in luxury cars carrying TVs, generators and mattresses with them.

Hizbul Islam is one of Somalia’s top insurgent groups.