MOGADISHU, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Islamist militia took over the key port of Hobyo in central Somalia on Wednesday, expanding a territorial push from their base in Mogadishu, residents said.

Heavily-armed fighters on battle-wagons rode into Hobyo around dawn to take control of the town without any fighting, said inhabitants reached by telephone.

The Islamists' latest move -- consolidating their grip on a swathe of south-central Somalia since taking Mogadishu in June -- is a further challenge to the virtually powerless interim government based in the provincial town of Baidoa.

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