^^^Somalia's defense minister.
Somalia Government Announces Plan to Defeat Insurgents in Mogadishu
MOGADISHU (HOL) - The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has announced it plans to defeat insurgent forces in Mogadishu who recently took control of parts of Mogadishu.
Speaking in a press conference in Mogadishu, the TFG’s Defence Minister Prof. Mohamed Abdi Gaandi said that the TFG started systemic plans aimed at taking control of the entire city. Prof. Minister added that the TFG has been forced to fight and defeat insurgents after insurgents have attacked government forces in Mogadishu.
Prof. Gaandi added that after the Djibouti Reconciliation Conference the TFG invited opposition groups to dialogue and peace talks but insurgents refused to participate in peace talks and tried to overthrow the TFG.
“The TFG would defend the people and the country of Somalia and will take control of Mogadishu” said the Defence Minister who added that the TFG will gradually and systemically gain control of the entire city while doing all it can to minimize civilian casualties.
The Minister called on the Somali people to support the TFG in its efforts to take control of Mogadishu while emphasizing that the TFG has not abandoned its efforts to solve the country’s problems through peaceful means and negotiations.
On the other hand, Mr. Muuse Arraale who spoke on behalf of Hisbul Islam, one of the insurgent groups fighting the government, said that TGF soldiers attacked based occupied by their forces and that their forces repelled government soldiers.