Somali Islamists routed.

On Thursday (28 Dec), Somali forces backed by Ethiopian forces seized roads to the North and West of Mogadishu prepared to lay siege to the capital.

About 3000 Islamists were seen retreating towards the port city of Kismaayo. It appears that the Islamists have totally given up Mogadishu. According to Abdirahman Janaqow, a senior leader, he ordered his forces out of the capital to avoid bloodshed.

In Kismaayo, clan leaders demanded that Islamists surrender. It appears Somalis are turning against Islamists.

Other fighters who had joined the Islamists have taken off their uniforms and submitted to clan rule.

Gunman Mohamed Barre Sidow stated, "I have seen that the Islamists are defeated. I'm going to rejoin my clan. I was forced to join the Islamic courts by my clan, so now I will return to my clan and they will decide my fate, whether I join the government or not.“

Clan elders were calling for their young men to form into militias to protect their neighborhoods.

For a presentation of the fighting, click here.