Islamic fighters seize Somali town

Mogadishu: Residents say Islamic fighters have seized the town of Elasha, just 11 miles (18 kilometers) southwest of the Somali capital.

Said Sahra Sheik says more than 100 heavily armed fighters entered the town Wednesday night after the pro-government militia fled.

An increasingly powerful Islamic insurgency advances toward Somalia's seaside capital, Mogadishu. Several strategic towns previously held by militias loyal to the weak UN-backed government have been captured in the past few days.

Thousands of people who have fled the country's two-year insurgency live in Elasha. Spokesman Abdi-rahin Issa Adow said the fighters had moved into Elasha to protect the displaced people living there.