Islamic militia appeared to control Mogadishu today after winning a bloody three-month battle against warlords who have run the Somali capital for 15 years.
Many of the warlords, widely believed to be covertly backed by Washington, were fleeing to other parts of Somalia or neighbouring Kenya.
The Islamic side, which supports sharia courts in Mogadishu, announced they controlled the city in radio broadcasts and public meetings. Both residents and some members of the warlords' own militia said the city was in Islamic hands.
"The era of warlords in Somalia is over," resident Mohamed Asser said. "This morning Mogadishu is under only one hand, the Islamic courts."
The chaos in Mogadishu, battered by weeks of artillery duels, made it difficult to verify Islamic control of the city.
If confirmed, it would be the first time control of all of the city had been wrested from Somalia's powerful warlords since they ousted dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, ushering in years of extreme violence and anarchy.
Around 350 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in street battles since February between the Islamic militia and a self-styled anti-terrorism coalition of warlords.
Many analysts view the violence as a proxy war between the United States and Islamic militants. Many Somalis have moved to the Islamic side because of Washington's perceived support for the warlords, residents say.
After the latest battle on Sunday, in which 18 people died, the Islamic militia took control of the strategic town of Balad, 30 km (20 miles) from Mogadishu.