December 29, 2006 - In  the end, Mogadishu’s feared Islamic militias simply melted away. Young fighters, some forced to swap schoolbooks for AK47s in recent months, had no stomach for a fight with an Ethiopian war machine that had helped Somali government troops to the outskirts of the capital.

They discarded their fatigues, took off their Islamic caps and transferred their allegiance back to their clans.

Muhammad Ismail 24, was among the militiamen who stayed at home. “It looked like the courts were losing so I decided last night that I should go back to my clan. They are the only ones who can protect me and pay me now,” he said.

The leaders of the Union of Islamic Courts fled the city late on Wednesday, turning over arms and ammunition to local clan leaders. Government technicals — pick-ups mounted with heavy machine-guns — rolled into the city without meeting resistance yesterday. 

Full Story:  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2522212,00.html