The Battle of Mogadishu ( 2009 ) started Process_start in May with an Islamist offensive , when rebels from al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam attacked Attack and captured Conquering government bases in the capital of Mogadishu .

The government launched another offensive Defending on 1 July , insurgents however successfully repelled Removing the offensive , making Getting gains until 5 July , when al-Shabaab 's leader Sheikh Moktar Ali Zubeyr gave Giving government forces a five-day ultimatum to hand over Giving their weapons .

The ultimatum was however rejected Response and so , al-Shabaab launched Attack several attacks Attack on key sites in the city provoking Convincing a major government offensive Defending on 11 – 12 July , which led to Causation a total expulsion of Islamist forces from the city .

The extremist Islamic group al-Shabaab claimed Statement responsibility for the incident , which it characterised as retribution for the Kenyan military 's deployment Arranging in the group 's home country of Somalia .