Saturday, April 28, 2007

"The government forces with the support of the Ethiopian troops have completed the operations against the terrorist groups in Mogadishu and they have accomplished their mission," Yusuf told a press conference at the presidential palace.

"We call on the people who fled their houses to get back and maintain their normal life."

Ethiopian forces have been battling Islamist fighters and clan militia since the beginning of the year, when they backed Somali government soldiers to oust an Islamist movement from the capital and other areas in the Horn of Africa nation.

But remnant Islamists put up stiff resistance, prompting an upsurge in violence which killed hundreds of civilians and prompted an estimated 400,000 people - according to the United Nations - to flee.

The fighting was some of the heaviest since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre exploded into a bloody power struggle in a country that has defied repeated attempts to restore stability.

Hundreds of displaced residents trooped back to Mogadishu on Saturday to inspect their houses, many of which were destroyed by heavy shelling in nine days of fighting that died down on Thursday when the joint Ethiopia-Somali forces seized insurgents strongholds in northern Mogadishu.

"I visited my house this morning and saw Ethiopian soldiers inside. Some of them were sleeping and others sitting on my veranda," said Muhubo Ali Diriye, a resident of Mogadishu's northern Towfiq district.

"They allowed me to get in the rooms and check how things are," she told AFP.

An elder in Towfiq, Sheikh Hassan Dubad said the fighting had been the worst he had ever seen.

"The worst shelling took place in our neighbourhood and we don't know who we can ask to give us compensation," said Sheikh Hassan, whose house was destroyed by fire.

"I saw my house for the first time in nine days, but I could not tell whether it was my house because it was demolished by artillery shells," said Yusuf Gure Yare, another resident.

Government forces patrolled the streets and searched residents who were returning, an AFP correspondent and residents said.

"The Ethiopian forces are checking anybody walking on the street, but we can reach our houses today for the first time and no one is stopping us," said Wiliyo Ali Ga'al, a mother of two.

Source: AFP, April 28, 2007

hamdi @ 4/30/2007 5:34 PM EST   THe UK's BBC is upset The english section was interviewing the US ambasador to Kenya today and they were telling him TFG is going down. Yeah, in your dreams... The BLue and white Somali's pride is up and flying high Maansha Allah! Viva Somalia, Somalidiidow silic u dhimo!

badbaadi@dadkag @ 4/29/2007 10:01 PM EST  Wake up people waar hurdada ka kaca smell the coffee or u must be missing that sweet tea hear me loud and clearly there is no country called somalia it used to be well 16 and more years ago what is left that land called somalia bunch of gang's and hoodlums and so called government with the muscle of the devil that kills enocent people so don't ask what u r country should be but ask what u can do about it...basicaly nothing, don't wayst u r time with non sense words we need more aducated people lawyers,doctors,ingineers ect, not unaducated worlords that turn a country in to a gangland not god fearing normal people its all about the Clan that's what u got now.God help us

Geele123 @ 4/29/2007 6:38 PM EST  Aligaagaale You still haven't give up your cheap childish comments towards our beloved and only hope government KKKKKKK..... I really enjoy your comments Peace bro Prepare for Marshal rebuilding of the Nation and stop the cheap talks

haawiya @ 4/29/2007 3:22 PM EST  Waxa Xamar ka socda hawlo nabad sugid ah oo loogu tala galay in lagu sugo nabadda. I hope you learned a listen from this massive tragedy. The work of skilled president can bring us together and help Haawiya gain the necessary skills and understanding of peace/power.

mercano @ 4/29/2007 1:02 PM EST  Mr. President, least you can do is send buses to Marka, dont just say, flee, and now, 'come back'.  Mogadishu children are drawning in the sea and falling in wells, they dont know how to swim, yet they claim to be from Mogadishu??!!! Hummmmhhh!!!  rent is $50 per month per room.  I wonder where they got the money from, they must print on A14 and their photo copy machines confiscated.... Provide for the peole, dont just say, 'come back into ruins and ashes, act like a leader.