The Islamist offensive lasted from 8 to 14 May and ended with relative success as they managed to take control over most of the capital, while ARS-D and government (TFG) forces withdrew into AMISOM protected territories.

[citation needed] A report Elman Peace and Human Rights group at the end of the year said that 1,739 people had been killed throughout 2009 by violence in Mogadishu.

[13][citation needed] Tahlil Ahmed, the director of independent news agency, HornAfrik was shot and killed by gunmen in the city, insurgents denied any involvement.

[17][citation needed] When a double suicide bombing by Hizbul Islam targeting an AMISOM convoy peace keepers leaving 11 dead and 15 injured.

[29] On 23 April, Abdi Mohamed Dhabaney, the Hodan district commissioner escaped explosion attack on Maka al-Mukarama road which was intended to kill him.

[31][citation needed] 23 April, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, leader of the Asmara-based wing of the ARS and most important figure of Hizbul Islam, returned to Mogadishu after 2 years of exile in Eritrea.

[43] Per these reports: between 26 February and 6 May 2009, some 21 Insurgents, 23 Government Forces, two AMISOM Peacekeepers and 31 Civilians (including several aid workers) were killed in Mogadishu clashes.

[53] 11 May, Abdifatah Ibrahim Shaweye, the deputy governor of Banadir region said that his men had taken control of an Ex-control Afgoi checkpoint in Southern Mogadishu, from Islamist fighters.

Rebels then made large gains, taking control of the ex-Defense Ministry building, Stadium Mogadishu and Wardhigley police station as ICU militiamen were forced to flee.

Three journalists were injured as a shell fired by ICU militia hit a building where a press conference was being held by senior al-Shabaab commander: Ali Dheere, who was telling about the major gains their forces had made that day.

[76] Due to government forces' poor performance, Somalia's top military commander, General Said Mohamed Hersi (better known as Said Dere) resigned.

[78] On the same day, Jima'ale Mohamud Nur ("Jebweyne"), deputy chairman of the Hawiye Clan traditional elders said they would try to mediate between the two sides to stop the fighting.

[81] Sheik Yusuf Mohamed Siad (Indho Ade), whose forces are in control of the former pasta factory, which was a key Ethiopian base until January 2009, defected the government with his militia, putting Sheikh Sharif Ahmed in a more powerful position.

Hizbul Islam spokesman Muse Arale claimed they had defeated the Djibouti group (the branch of the ARS which had joined the government) and that they were not in control of even more territory.

[96] In the bakara market, unknown gunmen assassinated Abdulkadir Hamsa ("Qatatow"), he was a member of Sharif Ahmed's ARS and was most known for fighting the Ethiopian forces during the insurgency, however, recently he defected to Hizbul Islam with his fighters.

[98] 1 June, ICU spokesman Abdirisak Mohamed Qeyloy announced the government would start crackdown operations restoring the security situation in parts of Hamarweyne district in Mogadishu especially around Guriga Hoyoyinka.

Muhiddin Hassan Juris, Yaqshid district commissioner reported that government forces managed to retake large areas from Hisbul Islam including the contested police station.

Sheik Ali Mohamed Hussein, the al-Shabab commander in charge of Banadir district, however claimed victory for the fighting in Dharkenley and said they killed 10 government soldiers and captured 6.

The fighting started when al-Shabaab attacked government bases in the long road that passes beside the coastline especially Galgalato and El Adde (Northern outskirts of the city).

[125] 23 June, sporadic fighting between the government soldiers and Islamist forces started in parts of Karan districts both sides used heavy gunfire near the police station and mortar attack injured several children.

Sheikh Muse Arale said that they defeated the government forces, took over the control of Marino and Jiro-Wa'abudan neighbourhoods in Karan district and the Golobal hotel.

[135] Fighting ended as Sheikh Moktar Ali Zubeyr, the Amir (leader) of al-Shabaab gave government forces an ultimatum of 5 days (until 10 June) to hand over their weapons.

[136] On the last day of Ali Zubeyr's ultimatum some clashes erupted between al-Shabaab and TFG forces in Derkenley district where both sides had military bases.

[145] The Insurgents had retreated from the city on 12 July, Sharif Ahmed claiming a "historical victory, but on this day they returned to their positions[146] after receiving reinforcements from Gedo, Middle Shabelle and Jubba regions.

[159] Separately four people were killed and six injured during a gunbattle between bodyguards of Somali Justice Minister Sheikh Abdirahman Janakow and another group of government soldiers.

[162] As 20 Somali MPs landed at Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport a series of fighting and bombings killed seven and injured 15 in the city.

[170] Insurgents equipped with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades attacked military forces and African Union peacekeepers, leaving 21 dead and injuring 40.

[179] At least ten civilians were injured as heavy fighting broke out, 6 of which as mortar hit the neighborhood of 5-ta Ged in Hawl-wadag district, some reports say the casualties might have been even higher.

[180] Mortars fired by al-Shabaab hit a residential area, the city jail and De Martino Hospital, killing at least 10 people and injuring 25.

[181] Heavy fighting started early in the morning in around Kulliyada Jalle Siad building (the largest Burundian base in the city), between Islamic Insurgents and AU forces, they continued exchanging fire for the rest of the day however casualty figures are unknown for the incident.