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Islamists abandon Somali capital Islamists abandon Somali capital
(about 1 hour later)
Islamist fighters have left the Somali capital as government forces backed by Ethiopian troops advance on the city.Islamist fighters have left the Somali capital as government forces backed by Ethiopian troops advance on the city.
A government spokesman told Reuters news agency that Islamic leaders had "dispersed into thin air".A government spokesman told Reuters news agency that Islamic leaders had "dispersed into thin air".
As the militiamen withdrew, gunfire echoed through Mogadishu and there were reports of looting.As the militiamen withdrew, gunfire echoed through Mogadishu and there were reports of looting.
Ethiopia began a large-scale offensive at the weekend to back Somalia's interim government, capturing ground previously held by Islamist militias.Ethiopia began a large-scale offensive at the weekend to back Somalia's interim government, capturing ground previously held by Islamist militias.
A senior Islamist leader, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, told al-Jazeera television: "We did not leave the capital to chaos." A senior Islamist leader, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, told al-Jazeera television his forces had left Mogadishu "to avert heavy bombing because Ethiopian forces are practising genocide against the Somali people".
"We left it to avert heavy bombing because Ethiopian forces are practising genocide against the Somali people," he added.
We have taken over the two control points on the main roads outside the city Abdirahman DinariSomali government spokesman Violence alarms press US keeps a close watch
Hundreds of gunmen who had just fought for the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) took off their uniforms and submitted to the command of clan elders, the Associated Press news agency reported.Hundreds of gunmen who had just fought for the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) took off their uniforms and submitted to the command of clan elders, the Associated Press news agency reported.
We have taken over the two control points on the main roads outside the city Abdirahman DinariSomali government spokesman Conflict in pictures Violence alarms press US keeps a close watch
Some began looting UIC buildings, it added.Some began looting UIC buildings, it added.
Residents reported heavy machine-gun fire in northern parts the capital early on Thursday - the ninth day of a conflict which the two sides say has left hundreds dead. Residents reported heavy gunfire in northern parts the capital early on Thursday.
Correspondents say the UIC's departure leaves a power vacuum in Mogadishu, raising fears of a return to clan warfare that blighted the city in the 1990s.Correspondents say the UIC's departure leaves a power vacuum in Mogadishu, raising fears of a return to clan warfare that blighted the city in the 1990s.
Troubled history Government forces are said to be near the Afgoye, 20km (12 miles) west of Mogadishu, cutting off the capital to the north and west.
A joint force of Ethiopian and Somali government troops are reported to be just 30 km (18 miles) from Mogadishu, threatening to besiege the capital. Last stronghold
Government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari told Reuters: "Our forces already effectively control Mogadishu because we have taken over the two control points on the main roads outside the city."Government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari told Reuters: "Our forces already effectively control Mogadishu because we have taken over the two control points on the main roads outside the city."
He added that government forces would enter Mogadishu in the "coming hours".He added that government forces would enter Mogadishu in the "coming hours".
Mogadishu residents have reported seeing convoys of Islamic fighters driving south. Islamic fighters were seen moving towards the port city of Kismayo, their last remaining stronghold, 300 miles (500km) to the south.
It is believed they are headed for the port city of Kismayo, their last remaining stronghold, 300 miles (500km) to the south.
But a senior UIC official Omar Idris said it was too early to talk of defeat.But a senior UIC official Omar Idris said it was too early to talk of defeat.
"The Ethiopians now are advancing but that is not the end. We know what happened in Iraq, the experience of the Americans... I think this is very, very early to say that the Islamic Court forces were defeated," he told the BBC's World Today radio programme."The Ethiopians now are advancing but that is not the end. We know what happened in Iraq, the experience of the Americans... I think this is very, very early to say that the Islamic Court forces were defeated," he told the BBC's World Today radio programme.
At the weekend Ethiopia began a major offensive to support the weak government against the UIC - which previously held much of central and southern Somalia.At the weekend Ethiopia began a major offensive to support the weak government against the UIC - which previously held much of central and southern Somalia.
The conflict has killed hundreds of people. The head of the International Red Cross Somalia delegation said it was "extremely concerned about civilians caught up in the fighting".
The African Union has called for Ethiopian forces to leave Somalia.The African Union has called for Ethiopian forces to leave Somalia.
However the United Nations Security Council has failed to agree on a statement calling for the withdrawal of all foreign forces. However the UN Security Council has failed to agree on a statement calling for the withdrawal of all foreign forces.
The UIC - which seized of the capital six months ago - had introduced law and order to the capital and much of southern Somalia for the first time in 16 years. Troubled history
The US and a number of other countries accuse the UIC of links to al-Qaeda, charges it denies. The UIC has its roots in the north of the capital Mogadishu.
Somalia and Ethiopia have a history of troubled relations, and Islamists have long called for a holy war against Ethiopian troops. Courts administering Islamic law restored order in a city bedevilled by anarchy since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
The UIC assumed control of the whole capital in June, driving warlords out and rapidly extending their influence to much of southern Somalia - with the exception of Baidoa, the seat of the transitional Somali government.
That body, set up in 2004 after talks between Somali factions, has been unable to meet in the capital because of opposition first from warlords, then from the UIC.
UIC leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys is accused by both Ethiopia and the US of having links to al-Qaeda - charges he denies.
Somalia and Ethiopia have a history of troubled relations, and Islamists have called for a holy war against Ethiopian troops.