Somali rebels, al-Shabab, withdrew overnight from several positions in the capital which were then taken by troops of the transitional government.
Somali rebels, al-Shabab, withdrew overnight from several positions in the capital which were then taken by troops of the transitional government.
A Somali government spokesman, Abdirahman Omar Osman, said on Saturday that al-Shabab was retreating from the city, calling it a "golden victory for the Somali people".
For his part an al-Shabab spokesman, Ali Mohamed Rage, told a local radio station that the withdrawal was aimed to enable a counter-attack, saying there would be no pull out from other regions of southern Somalia.
AFP news agency quoted witnesses as assuring the withdrawal.
"This morning there is not a single fighter facing off the Somali government forces", Abdi Mohamed, a witness said.
"This morning every Shebab controlled position is empty, they moved their belongings on trucks", Dahir Adan added.
Al-Shabab movement is a group of militants fighting to overthrow the government of Somalia. They are inspired by al-Qaeda. As of summer 2010, the group has been said to control most of the southern and central parts of Somalia, including "a large swath" of Mogadishu.
HARSH FAMINE
Somali people in the south have been suffering a harsh malnourishment, with the UN has declared a famine in five areas of Somalia. Most of these areas, including Mogadishu have been controlled by al-Shabab fighters.
The international organization said tens of thousands of people have died in the Horn of Africa famine -- which some experts linked to climate change and the virtual anarchy inside Somalia.
The UN this week added the capital, Mogadishu, to the list of regions battling famine.
Earlier on Friday, at least seven Somalis, including a soldier and refugees, were killed in a firefight in the capital after troops and residents looted vehicles carrying food meant for famine victims, witnesses say.
The witnesses said government troops fired shots and fought among themselves as they looted maize and oil in the Somali capital.
