Mogadishu Voice of the Somali Republic (in Somali) — 1700 GMT

The USC-SSA (United Somali Congress-Somali Salvation Alliance) security force has carried out a military operation in Heliwaa zone where Aideed’s bandits have been terrorizing people, mounting roadblocks and raping, endangering the security of Balcad highway and other roads to the central regions.

In the seven-hour military operation, the USC-SSA forces killed many members of the gang mounting roadblocks, destroyed two paramilitary vehicles and captured a large quantity of weapons and handed over the captured bandits to an Islamic court.

Peace-loving Somalis are being reminded that the ongoing war is not tribal, but rather it is between those who love peaceful coexistence and adherence to the teachings of the holy book and those who are opposed to these values. Therefore, peace-loving people are called upon to support the security forces and stop fleeing their homes.