The Battle of Mogadishu (2009) started with an Islamist offensive, when rebels from al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam attacked and captured government bases in the capital of Mogadishu, the fighting soon spread causing hundreds of casualties. It ended up becoming the largest battle in Mogadishu since the Ethiopian withdrawal in January.
The Battle of Mogadishu (2009) started with an Islamist offensive, when rebels from al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam attacked and captured government bases in the capital of Mogadishu, the fighting soon spread causing hundreds of casualties. It ended up becoming the largest battle in Mogadishu since the Ethiopian withdrawal in January.
*Casualty figures do not include those killed by criminal related violence, accidents or infighting among their factions.
(3) Casualty figures of 1,739 killed were reported for the whole of 2009, at least 242 of which were combatants. The 1,497 remaining civilian dead includes both people killed before 7 May and people killed after 1 October.
(2) Abdulkadir Hamsa "Qatatow" was first a government commander but he defected to Hizbul Islam. Soon after, he was assassinated. Ahmed "Lashin" Sheikh Muhiyadin was also an ICU commander but defected on 10 June.
(1) Sheik Yusuf Mohamed Siad "Indho Ade" (a warlord who is notorious for switching sides), and his militia were part of Hizbul Islam until 17 May, when he defected to the government.