Ethiopian News Agency report

Addis Ababa — The Ministry of Information said the activities of the insurgents of the UIC (Union of Islamic Courts in Somalia) has been locked up to an area called Bakaaraha after the joint operation launched by the forces of the TFG (Transitional Federal Government) of Somalia and residents of Mogadishu.

In a statement it issued late on Saturday [10 November], the ministry said military measures were taken to foil the terrorist activities of the anti-peace forces that are found scattered in Mogadishu and its environs. The statement further said that people living in the area called Bakaaraha have been collaborating with the forces of the TFG in exposing the terrorists.

Wide-ranging operations are being waged to fully put the terrorist activities under control, owing to the wide support and participation of the public, the ministry said.

At a time when the counter-offensive operations are under way, damage have been incurred on civilians by the terrorists who have learnt that their activities were confined to an identified area.

Forces of the TFG of Somalia along with the Ethiopian defence force are taking the anti-terrorist measures responsibly and with the necessary caution in a bid to protecting civilians from further damage.

Since the operations taking place have a nature of fighting, there might be slight causalities on the defence forces, the statement said.

The ministry further said since the slight sacrifices being paid during the operation would not hamper the ultimate mission, the operation launched to hunt and fully put the terrorists under control would continue.

The results scored so far are clear indicators of the fact that the operation launched to ensure lasting peace and stability in Somalia would attain the desired goal with the close collaboration of peace-loving Somalis, the statement said.