The governor of central Hiran region quit the Mogadishu government and declared his loyalty to Hizbul Islam. “Our fighters and weapons are now part of Hizbul Islam,” he told reporters. Businessmen in Mogadishu asked Shabaab to reopen roads that lead to the crucial Bakara Market, saying they would stop their financial support if the roads were not opened. Shabaab conducted clearing operations on the route between Bay and Lower Shabelle regions. The death toll from yesterday™s fighting in Mogadishu reached 12.
