Somalia's newly-powerful Islamists have opened a new Shariah court some 600km north of the capital, local officials said yesterday, extending their influence in the anarchic nation. The Islamists, who control Mogadishu and a large swathe of southern Somalia. have been expanding into more remote areas of in an effort to consolidate control over Horn of African nation after ousting US-backed warlords from the capital in June. "If the residents of every area in Somalia ask us to... we should go and install Islamic courts," said Mohamed Qoryarey, leader of Islamic Courts' militia in Adaado district, located 120km from the semi-autonomous region of Puntland. The Islamic movement initially put on a moderate face, but the rise of Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys as its leader has fuelled fears they want to establish a Taleban-like state. Aweys, who is on US and UN terrorism lists, arrived in the district on Monday to meet with elders, local media reported.