This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6594603.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Premier claims Somali 'victory' Premier claims Somali 'victory'
(20 minutes later)
Ethiopian and government troops are in control of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, after nine days of battles, the prime minister says.Ethiopian and government troops are in control of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, after nine days of battles, the prime minister says.
Ali Mohamed Ghedi said the worst of the fighting against Islamists and clan gunmen was now over.Ali Mohamed Ghedi said the worst of the fighting against Islamists and clan gunmen was now over.
Columns of tanks were deployed and reinforcements sent to Mogadishu from other parts of Somalia.Columns of tanks were deployed and reinforcements sent to Mogadishu from other parts of Somalia.
Earlier, a BBC correspondent in the city said the battles were the heaviest in recent days, spreading to new areas.Earlier, a BBC correspondent in the city said the battles were the heaviest in recent days, spreading to new areas.
United Nations humanitarian relief co-ordinator John Holmes has described the situation in Somalia as critical.United Nations humanitarian relief co-ordinator John Holmes has described the situation in Somalia as critical.
We have to bite the bullet Ismail Mohamoud HurreSomali education minister   Minister on fighting Clan divisions behind violenceWe have to bite the bullet Ismail Mohamoud HurreSomali education minister   Minister on fighting Clan divisions behind violence
He said up to 400,000 people had fled Mogadishu but aid was reaching just 60,000. A doctor who runs one of Mogadishu's hospitals estimates that two-thirds of the city's one million residents had left.He said up to 400,000 people had fled Mogadishu but aid was reaching just 60,000. A doctor who runs one of Mogadishu's hospitals estimates that two-thirds of the city's one million residents had left.
Some 300 people have been killed in the recent clashes, after 1,000 deaths last month, local human rights group say.Some 300 people have been killed in the recent clashes, after 1,000 deaths last month, local human rights group say.
Mogadishu residents say government forces have taken control of some northern suburbs from the insurgents.Mogadishu residents say government forces have taken control of some northern suburbs from the insurgents.
"We hope to completely conclude the war tomorrow, and government forces will secure the capital," Mr Ghedi said."We hope to completely conclude the war tomorrow, and government forces will secure the capital," Mr Ghedi said.
'Hijacked''Hijacked'
Somali Education Minister Ismail Mohamoud Hurre said the deaths and violence were a price worth paying to return normality to the country, which has not had a functioning national government for 16 years.Somali Education Minister Ismail Mohamoud Hurre said the deaths and violence were a price worth paying to return normality to the country, which has not had a functioning national government for 16 years.
"The Ethiopian forces are doing very well, stopping the Jihadist elements from causing instability," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme. href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/africa_enl_1177588358/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/africa_enl_1177588358/html/1.stm', '1177588563', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=416,height=483,left=312,top=100'); return false;">UNHCR map shows where thousands have fled to from Somalia's capital Mogadishu href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/africa_enl_1177588358/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/africa_enl_1177588358/html/1.stm', '1177588563', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=416,height=483,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >Enlarge Map "The Ethiopian forces are doing very well, stopping the Jihadist elements from causing instability," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
Many of the casualties are civilians"We have to bite the bullet." "We have to bite the bullet."
But a UK think-tank has strongly criticised last December's operation to oust an Islamist group which had taken control of Mogadishu and much of southern Somalia.But a UK think-tank has strongly criticised last December's operation to oust an Islamist group which had taken control of Mogadishu and much of southern Somalia.
"Genuine multilateral concern to support the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Somalia has been hijacked by unilateral actions of other international actors - especially Ethiopia and the United States - following their own foreign policy agendas," said the Chatham House report."Genuine multilateral concern to support the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Somalia has been hijacked by unilateral actions of other international actors - especially Ethiopia and the United States - following their own foreign policy agendas," said the Chatham House report.
"Whatever the short-term future holds, the complex social forces behind the rise of the Islamic Courts will not go away," the authors said."Whatever the short-term future holds, the complex social forces behind the rise of the Islamic Courts will not go away," the authors said.
The Union of Islamic Courts controlled Mogadishu for six months last year - reuniting the capital for the first time since 1991.The Union of Islamic Courts controlled Mogadishu for six months last year - reuniting the capital for the first time since 1991.
The Islamist fighters have been joined by gunmen from the Hawiye clan, which does not back the government.The Islamist fighters have been joined by gunmen from the Hawiye clan, which does not back the government.
Donors and diplomats have accused the government of hindering the aid effort with bureaucratic obstacles.Donors and diplomats have accused the government of hindering the aid effort with bureaucratic obstacles.
The government says its checks on aid shipments are necessary to prevent insurgent attacks. Many of the casualties are civiliansThe government says its checks on aid shipments are necessary to prevent insurgent attacks.
Somalia has not had a functional government since 1991.Somalia has not had a functional government since 1991.
Peace talks led to the formation of a transitional government in 2004, but it has so far failed to take full control of the country.Peace talks led to the formation of a transitional government in 2004, but it has so far failed to take full control of the country.
Ethiopian troops announced they had begun to withdraw, to be replaced by an African Union peacekeeping force, but only 1,200 of the 8,000 troops the AU says it needs have been deployed.Ethiopian troops announced they had begun to withdraw, to be replaced by an African Union peacekeeping force, but only 1,200 of the 8,000 troops the AU says it needs have been deployed.