Somalia: Mogadishu residents flee reported planned govt. offensive

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. "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.