Somali government forces control Mogadishu

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-29-2006 08:26

Triumphant Somali government forces and their Ethiopian allies have marched into Mogadishu, after Islamic rivals on Thursday abandoned the war-scarred city they held for six months.

The fall of Mogadishu came about 10 days after the Islamic Courts Council sought to march on the government base of Baidoa. That prompted Ethiopia to send troops to Somalia, proving the decisive factor in saving the government and pushing back Council forces.

Somali militiamen hold weapons they looted after Islamists Courts Council fled Mogadishu December 28, 2006. Triumphant Somali government forces marched into Mogadishu on Thursday after Islamist rivals abandoned the war-scarred city they have held for six months in the face of an Ethiopian-backed advance. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The Interior Minister has thanked residents for the jubilant reception the troops received.

Hussein Aideed, Somali Interior Minister, said, "The welcome you have given us in our entrance to Mogadishu, we are grateful this day, it is a historical day for Somalia, is a day of reconciliation, is a day of governance, is a day of victory for law and order."

Some Mogadishu residents greeted the arriving government troops, while others hid.

After leaders of the Islamic Courts Council fled their base early on Thursday morning, parts of Mogadishu shook with the sound of gunfire and there were outbreaks of looting.

Bringing stability to Mogadishu will be high on the agenda for the Somali government and its ally -- Ethiopia.

Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Prime Minister, said, "We are discussing (with the Somali government) as to what we need to do to make sure that Mogadishu does not descend into chaos."

This is the 14th attempt to restore central rule in Somalia since a civil war erupted in the country in 1991.

 

Editor:Du Xiaodan