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Somalia Islamists al-Shabab 'driven out of Mogadishu' Somalia Islamists al-Shabab 'driven out of Mogadishu'
(about 2 hours later)
African Union (AU) troops say they have driven Islamist al-Shabab militants out of their last stronghold in the north of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.African Union (AU) troops say they have driven Islamist al-Shabab militants out of their last stronghold in the north of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.
"We control the whole of Mogadishu," AU Gen Fred Mugisha told the BBC. He said that Somali government forces also took part in the offensive."We control the whole of Mogadishu," AU Gen Fred Mugisha told the BBC. He said that Somali government forces also took part in the offensive.
One African Union soldier and eight civilians were killed in the fighting, reports say.One African Union soldier and eight civilians were killed in the fighting, reports say.
Al-Shabab still controls large swathes of south and central Somalia.Al-Shabab still controls large swathes of south and central Somalia.
'Tactical move''Tactical move'
Gen Mugisha told the BBC: "[Transitional Federal Government of Somalia] forces, supported by Amisom (the African Union Mission in Somalia) - we have managed to push out al-Shabab from Mogadishu main city. As I am talking to you, we control the whole of Mogadishu main city, yes."Gen Mugisha told the BBC: "[Transitional Federal Government of Somalia] forces, supported by Amisom (the African Union Mission in Somalia) - we have managed to push out al-Shabab from Mogadishu main city. As I am talking to you, we control the whole of Mogadishu main city, yes."
The al-Qaeda-linked group retreated from most of Mogadishu in August, following an offensive by Amisom), but analysts had predicted that without a front line, the organisation was likely to begin carrying out more bombings, including suicide attacks. The al-Qaeda-linked group retreated from most of Mogadishu in August, following an offensive by Amisom, but analysts had predicted that without a front line, the organisation was likely to begin carrying out more bombings, including suicide attacks.
Last week, the militants claimed responsibility for a bomb attack in which more than 70 people died.Last week, the militants claimed responsibility for a bomb attack in which more than 70 people died.
The militants themselves claimed the August pullout was a tactical move.The militants themselves claimed the August pullout was a tactical move.
Al-Shabab still has a presence in the outlying district of Daynile, a BBC reporter in Mogadishu says.Al-Shabab still has a presence in the outlying district of Daynile, a BBC reporter in Mogadishu says.
Somalia has been without an effective central government since 1991 - the weak transitional government and Islamist militias are competing for control of the country.Somalia has been without an effective central government since 1991 - the weak transitional government and Islamist militias are competing for control of the country.