Somalia: The Disintegration of Hizbul Islam?

Al Shabaab has emerged as the most powerful militant group in southern Somalia, but it is not without its challengers. The Ethiopian-backed militia Ahlu Sunnah Waljamaah, which also is believed to be allied with the Somali government, continues to battle al Shabaab, while two factions of the group Hizbul Islam have split with one another. One has joined forces with al Shabaab while the other continues to fight it. What could be happening is the disintegration of Hizbul Islam, which came very close to overthrowing the Somali government when it allied with al Shabaab in May 2009.