What’s really going on?

Islamist insurgents close in on Somali capital

Islamist insurgent groups have captured two towns near Mogadishu since Sunday, adding to strong gains made within the Somali capital last week.

Less than four months after the moderate Islamist Sheik Sharif Ahmed became president, the western-backed government is now under significant pressure. Heavy fighting over the past week has killed nearly 200 people, with tens of thousands of people reported to have fled Mogadishu.

May 18, 2009, 10:53am