Hundreds of residents have started fleeing the embattled Somali capital of Mogadishu as government forces and hard-line militant fighters prepare for an all out war.

The massive exodus was witnessed in the areas under the control of the militants where residents expressed great fear over the imminent battle between the two sides.

Somali govt troops

“We are fleeing from Huriwa area, which we lived in since the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops early last year. We heard that the area is under attack and preparing to leave for the central parts” said a lady who added that at least 10 families have left the area on Saturday.

The areas which saw massive exodus include the northern districts such as Hodan, Wardhigley and Yaqshid, which are largely under the control of the militants.

Al-Shabaab has deployed thousands of its fighters in the neighborhoods in preparation for the planned government offensives.

Meanwhile, Somalia’s pro-government armed group Ahlu Sunnah Wal-Jamaa announced that it is planning to carry out attacks on the southern region of Gedo in the coming days.

Sheikh Abdirahman Al-Azhar said the plan is to oust Hizbul Islam and Al-Shabaab from the region, adding that recent attack on border town of Balad Hawa was test run to determine the military capacity of their rivals.

“We must take the control of the region and liberate the people. The recent attack on Balad Hawa was a test. We discovered the ability of our enemy,” he said.

Al-Azhari however refutes reports that his group is getting backings from Ethiopia, saying the group’s fighters are well-trained and equipped.

“We don’t receive any help from neighbours, Kenya and Ethiopia, which we can cross their borders whenever we want. We are getting the backing of the residents who welcome our initiatives,” he noted.

His sentiments come after government officials based in Dolow, a Somali border town near Ethiopia vowed to recapture the southern regions of Jubba from Al-Shabaab.

Somalia has been without an effective central government since 1991 when warlords toppled the regime of President Mohammed Siad Bare.

GAROWE ONLINE