Shabeelle Media Network (in Somali)

The Ethiopian troops based in the Somali capital vacated all their bases in Mogadishu last night. The dream of many Somalis, that Ethiopian troops will one day vacate the Somali capital, came true this morning after two years of depression under the Ethiopian military occupation.

The troops completely vacated their bases this morning with no sign of an Ethiopian soldier in the capital. Fighters from all resistance groups were this morning seen maintaining peace in areas vacated by the Ethiopian troops.

The operations spokesman of the Union of Islamic Courts, Shaykh Abdirahim Ise Adow, said that UIC fighters took over control of areas vacated by the Ethiopian troops. The spokesman told Shabeelle that he was at the former Defence Ministry which was vacated by the Ethiopian troops.

The Ethiopian troops withdrew from the former prison headquarters, the Defence Ministry, Digfer Hospital, near Sei Piano building, Maka Al-Mukarama Road and the presidential palace.

Residents of Mogadishu were excited following the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops. Most of the people have been discussing the withdrawal of the Ethiopian troops from the capital and demonstrations to welcome the pullout were held last night in Mogadishu.

UIC fighters are maintaining peace in most parts of Mogadishu after the pullout of Ethiopian troops.