BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Aug 2, 2001:

Heavy fighting is reported to have broken out in Jilib town between the militia of the SRRC [Somali Restoration and Reconciliation Council] and the alliance controlling the town of Kismaayo.

The fighting broke out in the town last night at 10 p.m. [1900 gmt] and communication links to the town were cut off. Reports says the fighting has now cooled down, but it is not yet clear who controls the town.

Last week, the SRRC militia under the command of Gen [Sa'id Hirsi] Morgan captured the town of Bu'aale.