Somali government 'seizes' town

Islamist militias have taken control of large parts of Somalia

Government troops in Somalia have taken control of a southern town from pro-Islamist militias.

The town, Burhakaba, is close to the transitional government's stronghold of Baidoa and is on the main road to the capital, Mogadishu.

The pro-Islamist militias, which control much of Somalia including the capital, said Ethiopian soldiers were fighting with the government troops.

Ethiopia denies having troops in Somalia but says it has sent advisers.

A resident of Burhakaba told Reuters news agency that several hundred government troops with about 30 "technicals" - pick-up trucks mounted with heavy weapons - were outside the town on the road to Mogadishu.

The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) has consolidated its control over much of southern Somalia after seizing Mogadishu in June.

Somalia has been in the grip of warlords and militias for years and has not had a functioning national government since 1991.