News / Africa

Mogadishu Celebrates Al-Shabab Withdrawal But Militants Nearby

Thousands of Somalis rally in the Somali capital Mogadishu, August 23, 2011 at the Konis stadium as part of government organized demonstrations in support of the withdrawal of al- Shabab from Mogadishu.
Thousands of Somalis rally in the Somali capital Mogadishu, August 23, 2011 at the Konis stadium as part of government organized demonstrations in support of the withdrawal of al- Shabab from Mogadishu.
TEXT SIZE - +

Thousands of Somalis gathered in Mogadishu Tuesday to celebrate the pullout of al-Shabab militants from the capital, even as the group said it had executed three men nearby.

Witnesses say an al-Shabab firing squad killed the men, including a 16-year-old, in the Deynile neighborhood of northern Mogadishu.

The al-Qaida-linked group says the men were executed for spying for the Somali transitional government and the government of Kenya.

Al-Shabab withdrew from most parts of the capital earlier this month, but its fighters still control some areas, including Deynile.

In central Mogadishu, Somalis rallied at Konis Stadium Tuesday to celebrate the militant group's retreat from the capital.

Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali addressed the rally, praising pro-government forces and African Union troops who helped push back the rebels.

The Islamist group withdrew after a government offensive to retake the city and clear the way for foreign aid destined for drought and famine victims.

Al-Shabab said the retreat was a strategic move and vowed to remain nearby and continue its effort to topple the United Nations-backed government.

Al-Shabab once controlled nearly all of Mogadishu and still controls large swaths of central and southern Somalia.

The group has tightly controlled the delivery of aid to famine victims in its territory, and has banned access for many international aid agencies.

You May Like

Experts Weigh In on Challenges of Closing Guantanamo Prison

Former chief military prosecutor at Guantanamo delivers petition to White House with more than 370,000 signatures, demanding facility be closed down immediately More

Karzai to Discuss Enhancing Defense Ties with India

Afghanistan looking for more military aid as it prepares for withdrawal of NATO forces by next year More

India, China Pledge to Overcome Border Tensions

Indian prime minister and Chinese premier attempt to move past tense standoff in the Himalayas during Delhi talks More

Burmese President Opens US Visit with VOA Town Hall Meeting

Ahead of his meeting with President Obama Monday, Thein Sein answered questions on human rights and economic development in his country More

This forum has been closed.
Comments
     
There are no comments in this forum. Be first and add one

Featured Videos

Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Video

Video US Oil Surge Could Impact Mideast Geopolitics

The United States will account for a third of new oil supplies over the next five years, and will become energy self-sufficient in 20 years, according to a new report by the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA). Although U.S. oil imports from Arab Gulf countries increased last year, analysts predict the U.S. will lose its dependence on Middle East imports, which is expected to have a huge impact on international relations and the balance of power. VOA's Henry Ridgewell reports.