Hizbul Islam Joins Al-Shabaab

Two rivals for power in Somalia, both fighting the weak central government, are merging.

A spokesman for Hizbul Islam says that group has officially become part of the Al-Shabaab group, reports Bloomberg News.

The union of the groups is expected to strengthen efforts against the transitional government and African Union forces, analysts said.

The move followed Al-Shabaab's repeated attacks on Hizbul Islam, reported the Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu).

The two groups...