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Islamists abandon Somali capital Islamists abandon Somali capital
(30 minutes 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". As they withdrew, gunfire was heard and armed supporters of the city's warlords began taking control of key facilities.
As the militiamen withdrew, gunfire echoed through Mogadishu and there were reports of looting. Some residents say lawlessness has returned to Mogadishu - which had been under Islamic rule for six months.
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 his forces had left Mogadishu "to avert heavy bombing because Ethiopian forces are practising genocide against the Somali people".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".
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. The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says clan militiamen appeared as soon as the news of the withdrawal emerged early on Thursday, and UIC offices have been looted.
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 watchWe 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. Residents in the north of the city have reported cars and mobile phones being stolen.
Residents reported heavy gunfire in northern parts the capital early on Thursday. Rising insecurity has forced most businesses to stop trading.
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. The situation seems to be descending back into anarchy, our correspondent adds.
Government forces are said to be near the Afgoye, 20km (12 miles) west of Mogadishu, cutting off the capital to the north and west. Observers 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.
Last strongholdLast 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 forces are reported to be near Afgoye, 20km (12 miles) west of Mogadishu, cutting off the capital to the north and west.
He added that government forces would enter Mogadishu in the "coming hours". Government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari said the army would enter Mogadishu in the "coming hours".
Islamic fighters were seen moving towards the port city of Kismayo, their last remaining stronghold, 300 miles (500km) to the south. Militia groups allied to the government have taken control of key installations, including the airport, AFP news agency reports.
Earlier, Islamic fighters were seen moving towards 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 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 UN 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.
Troubled historyTroubled history
The UIC has its roots in the north of the capital Mogadishu.The UIC has its roots in the north of the capital Mogadishu.
Courts administering Islamic law restored order in a city bedevilled by anarchy since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.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.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.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.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.Somalia and Ethiopia have a history of troubled relations, and Islamists have called for a holy war against Ethiopian troops.