(SomaliNet) People in the Somalia capital Mogadishu heartily welcomed on Thursday the ongoing security operations by Islamic courts in the city as hopeful step towards restoring law and order in Somalia. Before the Islamic courts’ power, the capital has been in state of turmoil and chaotic created by militia of the warlords who were defeated the war raged in the capital two weeks ago. Islamic militiamen have seized a key checkpoint on the ‘Heart junction’ in Bakara market in the capital on Wednesday from the remained militia loyal to former ousted warlord Mohamed Qanyare. It is the second checkpoint taken over by Islamic courts within a week and this makes the Islamists operations stronger. “We feel blessing and relief after the gunmen were removed from this junction, because we had problems in the traffic of the road, many thanks to Islamic courts and we urge them to continue their clearing operations in the capital,” one of the residents told Somalinet on Thursday.
When I visited this morning the area taken over by Islamic militiamen I could see that everything was in order, and well dressed Islamic fighters were arranging the private cars and other passengersÂ’ buses on their right positions, even no car is allowed to take wrong side on the street. Before cars were in disorder. I met many local residents and they told me that they are in happy mood to see Heart junction was secure and safe.
On Monday, the Islamists captured a key position from militia loyal to former anti terror alliance member Abdi Hassan Qeybdid on the main road which links Mogadishu to other southern parts of Somalia after heavy clashes killing six people mostly civilians.