February 23, 2012
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali confirmed Wednesday (February 22nd) that Ethiopian and Somali forces captured the strategic city of Baidoa from al-Shabaab.
"One of the most important cities in southwestern Somalia, Baidoa, has just been captured from al-Shabaab," Ali told reporters in London, one day before a major international meeting on Somali.
Somali and Ethiopian forces reportedly entered Baidoa without conflict, as al-Shabaab had already fled.
The black flag of al-Shabaab was removed from a flagpole in the centre of town on Thursday morning and Somali government officials vowed to continue to fight al-Shabaab insurgents.
"The city is quiet this morning, and people are feeling free for the first time in more than three years," said Governor Abdifatah Mohamed Ibrahim of the Bay region, which includes Baidoa.
Hours after the city had been liberated from the al-Qaeda-allied al-Shabaab militants, two strong explosions rocked Baidoa late Wednesday. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying they inflicted heavy losses on pro-government forces. The claim could not be verified.
The group's military spokesperson, Sheikh Abdulaziz Abu Musab, said the explosions struck Ethiopian and Somali forces when they entered positions vacated by al-Shabaab fighters, pledging to continue the conflict "until Islam becomes the only principle that rules the country".
One resident, Warsame Adan, told AFP that a local factory had been targeted in one of the blasts after Ethiopian forces seized it. "We do not know if there were casualties, as we could not go out at night because there was a curfew," he said.
Baidoa was one of al-Shabaab's main bases, and its capture leaves the group's fighters increasingly isolated, AFP reported. The militants still control large parts of southern Somalia, where they face a land and air offensive by Kenya Defence Forces.
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Reader's Comments
Dear All, AlShabaab has nothing to do with either Islam or Mujahedeen as they claim BUT they are simply confused bloody hooligans that need to be wiped out of Somalia and the greater Somali nation will be at peace and will restore its lost glory !
You American infidels why are you oppressing Muslims let them establish their Islamic states, why do you like persecuting Muslims, but with Allah’s power you will be defeated and an Islamic State will rule the entire world, you must fight with every country which has Muslims, we already know that you hate Islam so we also continue to hate you and we will fight with you.
Peace be upon you! I don’t know what to say, but the whole world is looking at Somalia as a very strong country, despite its poor conditions. Somalia is the only country that has terrified America. They were sent off Somalia with no return. As for this matter, I hope that the Mujahedeen will unite and that their aims are to redeem and make reconciliation with our prophet. Islam is the religion of love and ease, and peace doesn't come except by the sword and power. It is not as the Jews pretend, that peace comes by humiliating Muslims and killing them like sheep in Palestine every day. The Arabs still hope that Israel might grant them peace! That is funny! The Arabs live in big countries and they are powerful! Unfortunately, they ask Israel to grant them freedom!
they all same team Al-Qaeda and alshabaab they not islam if they islam they will never done to any islamic person or kill any one for no reasons
ALSHABAB is very good
Those who always commit crimes aganist innocent people can not be represent Islamic religion
These thugs should be hit so hard that they will live to regret. Target the leaders and the commanders. Let them be killed and buried at sea like osama. I support the fight .
Let any logical person fight these hooligans by any means possible. I'm sure somali people will enjoy true freedom when their government will be in control of the whole country
YES.they deserve the humiliation cos the people need to lead a life of non blood shading and avoid crying against the people who are reaping from where they havent sown bravo bravo our men
People who ifght for God' s name must value lives of the innocent children and women and this is not the case with the Al-Shabaab.
Al shabab are just funny folks who wants to missuse the name of the religion.KDF,Ethiopian defence forces plus the Somali forces,keep the fire burning by making sure no trace of Al shabab remains a live in Somalia
We as muslims must give support to alshabaab becaouse they fight for islam and they will win inhsaa allahu
Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda share the following ideologies: The use of force to inform, spreading of propaganda using the name of Islamic Shariah in their target areas, branding anyone opposed to their ideologies as the enemy of Islam; vowing to finish anyone, or wipe out of existence any group that opposes them. They are the enemy of Islam. The use of threats and force to achieve interest is also used by both Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda. They also share the attribute of taking responsibility for anything that happens even in where they are not involved. For this reason, both groups should be destroyed like Tamil group that was known as “LTTE” and the whole world must be against these uncivilized groups!
Since when has any religious organization enlisted children to fight? They are supposed to be protected because they may not know the essence of the war. Islam is no different.
Peace on you, first and foremost, my brothers you are expected to behave well with Somali Muslims {GOOD TREATMENT} {AND TREAT THE UN-BELIEVERS HARSHLY} therefore, my brothers if you fail to influence your people no one will support you. I would therefore urge you to put your guns down now at this moment and become regular Somali citizens. You can start the fight if they come up with something that is against the teachings of Islam.