Twelve people were killed Monday in central Somalia as government soldiers and local militias fought over two truckloads of weapons illegally brought over the border from Ethiopia. The local militias overpowered government forces after receiving reinforcements from clansmen, the official added. The Somali government did not disclose the quantity of the weapons but the security official told VOA Somali that the weapons were two truckloads and included DshK and PKM machine guns, AK-47 assault rifles, pistols and ammunition. The government appealed to local residents and elders for help in returning the weapons to government hands. The Somali government has been attempting to reassert control of the country from armed militias and al-Shabab militants.
