Thursday, December 28, 2006 at 2:02am
Somalia retakes capital from Islamists
Somali government forces backed by Ethiopia marched into Mogadishu Thursday after Islamist rivals abandoned the war-torn city they held for six months. The Islamist retreat dramatically altered the volatile Horn of Africa nation after they took Mogadishu in June and spread sharia rule across the south.
Some Mogadishu residents greeted the arriving government troops, while others hid, fearful of more violence, Reuters reported.
"People are cheering as they wave flowers to the troops," said Abdikadar Abdulle. Parts of the city shook with gunfire, however, and looting broke out after leaders of the Somalia Islamic Courts Council (SICC) fled early in the morning and some fighters shed their uniforms to avoid reprisals.
"We have been defeated. I have removed my uniform. Most of my comrades have also changed into civilian clothes," one former SICC fighter told Reuters. "Most of our leaders have fled."
The fall came about 10 days after the Islamists sought to take the government base of Baidoa. That prompted Ethiopia to openly intervene, which proved to be the decisive factor in saving the government and pushing back the Islamists.
After chasing U.S.-backed warlords from the city in June, the SICC had brought a semblance of stability to Mogadishu, which collapsed with their departure, Islamists and residents said. "Mogadishu is now in chaos," Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed told Al Jazeera television.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi vowed to pursue the Islamists. "We will not let Mogadishu burn," he added.
Government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari said government forces secured the main routes into Mogadishu. "We are taking control of the city and I will confirm when we have established complete control," he said.
He said the Islamists fled to the southern port of Kismayu and the government controlled 95 percent of the country. The government declared a state of emergency "to control security and stability."
SICC leader Ahmed said the retreat was a tactical move in a war against Ethiopian troops defending Somalia's Western-backed government. Many predicted they would wage guerrilla war if defeated in the first round of war.
Islamist forces were routed by a joint force of Ethiopian armor and government fighters. Pro-government militias who once held sway in Mogadishu said they had captured several key buildings early on Thursday, including the former presidential palace.
"My worst fear is the capital will succumb to its old anarchy," said resident Muktar Abdi. "The government should come in now and take over — this is the best chance they have before the city falls into the hands of the warlords again."
Some Mogadishu residents greeted the arriving government troops, while others hid, fearful of more violence, Reuters reported.
"People are cheering as they wave flowers to the troops," said Abdikadar Abdulle. Parts of the city shook with gunfire, however, and looting broke out after leaders of the Somalia Islamic Courts Council (SICC) fled early in the morning and some fighters shed their uniforms to avoid reprisals.
"We have been defeated. I have removed my uniform. Most of my comrades have also changed into civilian clothes," one former SICC fighter told Reuters. "Most of our leaders have fled."
The fall came about 10 days after the Islamists sought to take the government base of Baidoa. That prompted Ethiopia to openly intervene, which proved to be the decisive factor in saving the government and pushing back the Islamists.
After chasing U.S.-backed warlords from the city in June, the SICC had brought a semblance of stability to Mogadishu, which collapsed with their departure, Islamists and residents said. "Mogadishu is now in chaos," Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed told Al Jazeera television.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi vowed to pursue the Islamists. "We will not let Mogadishu burn," he added.
Government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari said government forces secured the main routes into Mogadishu. "We are taking control of the city and I will confirm when we have established complete control," he said.
He said the Islamists fled to the southern port of Kismayu and the government controlled 95 percent of the country. The government declared a state of emergency "to control security and stability."
SICC leader Ahmed said the retreat was a tactical move in a war against Ethiopian troops defending Somalia's Western-backed government. Many predicted they would wage guerrilla war if defeated in the first round of war.
Islamist forces were routed by a joint force of Ethiopian armor and government fighters. Pro-government militias who once held sway in Mogadishu said they had captured several key buildings early on Thursday, including the former presidential palace.
"My worst fear is the capital will succumb to its old anarchy," said resident Muktar Abdi. "The government should come in now and take over — this is the best chance they have before the city falls into the hands of the warlords again."