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| Big attack on Mogadishu Islamists | Big attack on Mogadishu Islamists |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Pro-government forces in Somalia have launched a major attack against Islamist militants controlling parts of the capital, Mogadishu. | |
| The assault is an attempt to recapture areas seized by the rebels last week. | The assault is an attempt to recapture areas seized by the rebels last week. |
| Our correspondent in Mogadishu says the sound of heavy gunfire and shelling can be heard across the city. | Our correspondent in Mogadishu says the sound of heavy gunfire and shelling can be heard across the city. |
| Forces loyal to the transitional government - which is recognised by the UN - lost control of about one-third of the city to militants last week. | |
| Ten days of fierce clashes between the pro-government forces and militant Islamic groups - al-Shabab and Hisbul-Islam - have left more than 100 people dead and displaced 46,000 civilians. | |
| Government determined | Government determined |
| In Friday's offensive, at least seven people, one of them a local journalist from Radio Shabelle, were killed. | In Friday's offensive, at least seven people, one of them a local journalist from Radio Shabelle, were killed. |
| This is a large military offensive against violent people Farhan Mahdi MohamedMilitary spokesman Somali justice - Islamist-style Q&A: Somalia's conflict | This is a large military offensive against violent people Farhan Mahdi MohamedMilitary spokesman Somali justice - Islamist-style Q&A: Somalia's conflict |
| The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan, in Mogadishu, says the pro-government forces have launched a massive military offensive against the insurgents. | The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan, in Mogadishu, says the pro-government forces have launched a massive military offensive against the insurgents. |
| Most of the fighting is focusing around one of the city's main roads, Wadnaha, he says. | Most of the fighting is focusing around one of the city's main roads, Wadnaha, he says. |
| African Union peacekeepers based in the capital to support the fragile administration are not involved in the attack, he adds. The 4,300-strong force does not have a mandate to pursue the insurgents. | African Union peacekeepers based in the capital to support the fragile administration are not involved in the attack, he adds. The 4,300-strong force does not have a mandate to pursue the insurgents. |
| "This is a large military offensive against violent people," military spokesman Farhan Mahdi Mohamed told AFP news agency. | "This is a large military offensive against violent people," military spokesman Farhan Mahdi Mohamed told AFP news agency. |
| "The government will sweep them out of the capital and the fighting will continue until that happens." | "The government will sweep them out of the capital and the fighting will continue until that happens." |
| A moderate Islamist President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was elected by a unity government in January as part of a UN-backed peace initiative. | A moderate Islamist President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was elected by a unity government in January as part of a UN-backed peace initiative. |
| But even his introduction of Sharia law to the strongly Muslim country has not appeased the hardline guerrillas, who are accused of links to al-Qaeda. | But even his introduction of Sharia law to the strongly Muslim country has not appeased the hardline guerrillas, who are accused of links to al-Qaeda. |
| The Horn of Africa state has been mired in conflict for 18 years. | The Horn of Africa state has been mired in conflict for 18 years. |