By SALAD DUHUL – 21 hours ago

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Somalia’s government is not in control of most of this war-ravaged country, and a radical Islamic group that was driven out last year is regrouping, a Somali official said Thursday.

“About 80 percent of Somalia is not safe and is not under control of the government,” Sheik Qasim Ibrahim Nur, director of security at the National Security Ministry, told The Associated Press. “Islamists are planning to launch a massive attack against (the government) and its allied troops.”

“Islamists are now regrouping vast areas in southern and central Somalia,” he added.

Somalia’s government, with the crucial military assistance of Ethiopia, managed to drive out a radical group called the Council of Islamic Courts last year, ending the group’s six months in power. But the Islamists have launched an Iraq-style insurgency, throwing this already beleaguered nation into bloody chaos.

The United Nations says Somalia is facing Africa’s biggest humanitarian crisis.