Pirates flee as Somali militia group moves on town

Dozens of fighters from one of Somalia's most powerful rebel groups moved into a northern town on Sunday where pirates operate, sending the pirates fleeing in a development that could upend the piracy trade, witnesses said.

Dozens of fighters from one of Somalia's most powerful rebel groups moved into a northern town on Sunday where pirates operate, sending the pirates fleeing in a development that could upend the piracy trade, witnesses said.

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Fighters from the militia group Hizbul Islam moved into the strategic pirate den of Haradhere. The Islamists could be looking to take over the trade or simply take a cut of the millions of dollars in ransom that pirates take in.

Hizbul Islam is also likely to gain a foothold in Haradhere before the rival militant group al-Shabab moves in.