Hiiraan Online
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Somalia’s
Islamist opposition fighters Al-Shabaab on Friday night withdrew its militants
from the restive capital Mogadishu following intense artillery shelling from forces
of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) backed by the African
Union peace keeping mission to Somalia (AMISOM)
Al-Shabab
spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage told Radio Andulus “the voice of the islamists”
that their militants are out of Mogadishu as part of their own military
strategy.
"The
reason why we moved our forces out is to change our military and battle
tactics. We have also moved out in a bid to safe the lives of troubled
residents” Rage told Radio Andulus
“But in the
next few hours we will conduct a wave of military battles to wipe out AMISOM and
TFG forces”
The Group spokesman
confirmed that AMISOM have used intense tactics and one of their heaviest military
powers ever, consequently forcing the pull-out of the ranks and files of the
self-proclaimed Mujahideen.
As of Saturday
morning TFG forces backed by AMISOM directly controlled the strategic Bakara
Market in the heart of the war-ravaged capital, and also major avenues
including Sodonka, Warshadaha among others.TFG forces were also seen patrolling
Mogadishu’s main football stadium formerly a stomping ground for Al-Shabab
militants.
Sources told
Hiiraan Online (HOL) that government forces are pursuing Islamist fighters who
were heading to other parts of Southern Somalia. Our reliable sources added
that the militants were heading towards the two regions of Shabelle where the
group consolidates its power firmly.
Al-shabab have
been controlling large parts of South-central Somalia for the last two years including
Mogadishu which is the provincial headquarters of Somalia’s’ Banadir region.
The group has
over the past few weeks lost their strategic frontlines following an onslaught
of military activities where both the TFG and AMISOM have tested the tenacity of
the Islamist opposition who have vowed to conduct a wave of attacks during the
holy month of Ramadan.
Mogadishu’s
residents were seen thronging out of their homes stunned by the sudden ouster
of Alshabab from its frontlines. In the villages of Suuqaholaha in the district
of Huriwaa hundreds of residents came out but they were yet to celebrate the change
of power fearing any reprisal from Al-shabab fighters.
Somali
reporting by Mohamed Haji in Mogadishu, translation and editing by Abdullahi
Jamaa in Mombasa.