28 Oct 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- JSC meet in Mogadishu and address security of the capital
- Somali militant leaders said: We will take Kenyan property if their warplanes damage Kismayo seaport
- Foreign air strikes hit parts of Lower Jubba
- Galmudug arrests persons suspected of abducting foreigners in central
- Government rules out talks with Somalia ‘al Shabaab’
- Somali rebel commander urges Kenya attacks
- Kenya charges 2 for being al Shabaab members
- US flies drones from Ethiopia to fight Somali militants
SOMALI MEDIA
JSC meet in Mogadishu and address security of the capital
28 Oct – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA – 176 words
The Joint Security Committee (JSC) today met in Mogadishu under the chairmanship of H.E. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Somali Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, H.E Hussesin Arab Isse and the UN SRSG Dr. Augustine Mahiga.
Following discussions, the JSC noted that some progress had been made in enhancing the security sector in Somalia. In particular, the JSC recognized the major territorial gains made by TFG security forces, with the support of AMISOM, the countries of the region and other international partners, more emphasis was placed in the latest combat that took place in Daynille
The JSC expressed its appreciation to the Governments of Burundi and Uganda for their continuing contribution to peace and security in Somalia and paid special tribute to the courage and determination of their soldiers, especially to the families of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the current security operations.
Tomorrow’s session will be hosted by Augustine Mahiga and will be attended by the Somali leaders as well as the relevant security partners.
Somali militant leaders said: We will take Kenyan property if their warplanes damage Kismayo seaport
27 Oct – Source: Mareeg Online, Hiiraan Online, Garowe Online and Somaliweyn – 215 words
Al Shabaab militias who attended a rally held in Lafole and Elasha villages south the capital Mogadishu yesterday threatened that they would take Kenyan property if Kenyan warplanes destroy the coastal town of Kismayo, reports said.
“Mujahidins have the right to own and take Kenyan properties in Nairobi city if their warplanes destroy Kismayo seaport where Kenyan took air strike against it”, Sheikh Muktar Robow Abu Mansor, one of al Shabaab’s leaders said in front of a crowd in Elasha Biyaha.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Foreign air strikes hit parts of Lower Jubba
27 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 168 words
Reports from Somalia’s Port city of Kismayo say suspected U.S drone has attacked al Shabaab bases in an area outside the city. The air strikes targeted militia bases located 1140 km from Kismayo town along the Somali coast.
Eyewitnesses told Bar-kulan that the militia suffered several casualties. There are also reports of civilian casualties resulting from the attack. It is not yet clear whether the attack was carried out by U.S drones or Kenyan jet fighters.
The attack comes days after alleged Kenyan fighter jets on Sunday bombed several military bases in the city. No casualties have been reported so far. Locals say Kenya fighter jets attacked Kismayo port and al Shabaab’s Congo military base north of the city. Kenya has denied the attack.
Kenya has recently deployed its troops in parts of Lower Juba in pursuit of al Shabaab fighters for their alleged abductions of foreigners in northern Kenya. The Kenyan military have been reportedly advancing towards the port city of Kismayo in its effort to isolate the rebel fighters into small areas.
Galmudug arrests persons suspected of abducting foreigners in central
28 Oct – Source: Shabelle – 144 words
The self-proclaimed Galmudug state on Friday said it had apprehended at least 5 people suspected of being behind the abduction of an American and Danish citizens in Galka’yo town of central Somalia.
Mr. Yarow said more investigations on the matter are now underway. Some reports said that the abducted foreigners were handed over to the Somali pirates in parts of central Somalia. On the other hand, the minister noted that Kenya illegally entered Somalia but commended Kenya’s significant help to the Somali refugees who escaped from the violence in the horn of African nation. On Tuesday, gunmen kidnapped two foreign aid workers from U.S. and Denmark in southern Galka’yo town of Mudug region in central Somalia.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Somali official accuses al Shabaab of Kenya’s Mandera bomb attack
28 Oct – Source: Radio Shabelle, Kulmiye – 119 words
Somalia’s regional administration of Gedo region of south of the country on Friday accused al Shabaab fighters of being behind the bomb blast in Mandera town, north-eastern Kenya killing at least 8 people.
Mohamed Abdi Kalil, the governor of Gedo region told Shabelle that the al Shabaab insurgent group planted a roadside bomb and then targeted a car carrying Kenyan soldiers and teachers. He said the group wanted to harm the bomb attack on Somali people in north-eastern Kenya. Mr. Kalil spelled out that elements of the group have several times entered Kenya, conducted bomb attacks and kidnapped foreigners to destabilize that country. Talking about government’s combat operations in Gedo, the governor said they are committed to continuing the battle.
Somaliland: President welcomes Italian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister
27 Oct – Source: Somaliland Press – 313 words
Somaliland president Mr. Ahmed Mohamoud Silanyo met a high level delegation from Italy comprising of seven members. According to a press release issued by the presidential spokesman Mr. Abdilahi Mohamed Daahir ‘Cukuse,’ Somaliland president Mr. Silanyo held a high level meeting with the Italian delegation. The meeting was held at the office of the president yesterday, according to the press release.
The Italian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Senatore Alfredo Mantina is heading the delegation. Somaliland president and the Italian delegation discussed in lengthy the bilateral relation between Somaliland and Italy. The delegation stated that its main reason behind coming to the country was to understand the real situation on the ground.
Italian deputy foreign affairs minister Mr. Senatore Alfredo Mantica congratulated the Somaliland president for his good governance and the fact that Somaliland government managed to sustained law and order. Italian deputy foreign affairs minister further added that they came to the country in order to inform the Somaliland government that the Italian government will work closely with Somaliland.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Government rules out talks with Somalia ‘al Shabaab’
28 Oct – Source: Coast week – 1,054 word
“There are no plans within the government to negotiate with al Shabaab. Kenya does not negotiate with terror gangs,” SAYS Government Spokesman Dr. Alfred Mutua. The Kenyan government on Thursday ruled out talks with Somalia’s militant group, al Shabaab, which has reportedly been seeking negotiations with Nairobi as amid military operation in the lawless nation.
The government’s position comes after CNN quoted a senior Kenyan official as saying that al Shabaab leaders were seeking negotiations as the nation pursues the Islamist militants deeper into Somalia. “They want to talk,” the official, who did not want to be named because he is not authorized to talk to the media, told CNN.
But Mutua said the Somali militia presents clear and present danger to the security of the world and especially of the East Africa region, noting that the war on terror cannot be won without dismantling the group’s power. “As far as we are concerned al Shabaab are running scared, helter shelter. “Al Shabaab is a terror organization that has made it impossible for there to be peace and stability in Somalia,” Mutua said.
http://www.coastweek.com/3443_
Kenya charges 2 for being al Shabaab members
28 Oct – Source: Capital FM News (Kenya) – 256 words
Kenya on Friday charged two men with being members of Somalia’s hard-line al Shabaab militia, against whom it launched an offensive nearly two weeks ago in the south of the war-torn country. Omar Muchiri and Stephen Macharia, both Kenyans, however denied the charges. They also denied being accomplices of fellow Kenyan Elgiva Bwire Oliacha, who confessed on Wednesday to being a member of the extremist Shabaab insurgents.
All three were arrested this week as Kenyan police stepped up security in the wake of al Shabaab threats to attack the country in retaliation for Nairobi’s military offensive in southern Somalia. The Al-Qaeda-linked group on Thursday called on Kenyan sympathisers to launch attacks against Nairobi, which was this week rocked by two grenade blasts that killed one person and wounded dozens of others. The Shabaab did not claim responsibility for the grenade attacks.
Muchiri and Macharia were detained pending the resumption of their case on November 4. Kenyan troops rolled into Shabaab-controlled southern Somalia on October 16 to fight the insurgents it accuses of a series of kidnappings and attacks on its territory.
Government spokesman Alfred Mutua said on Thursday that Nairobi’s strategy was to “destroy Al-Shabaab’s network within the shortest time possible.” “Kenya has no plans or intentions to stay in Somalia an hour beyond necessary,” he added, but did not give a time frame.
Kenya’s offensive followed the kidnapping of four European women from its soil, all who are believed to have been taken to Somalia by their abductors.
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/
Kenya troops kill 9 Al-Shabaab fighters
27 Oct – Source: Africa Review – 266 words
Kenyan troops Thursday killed nine Al-Shabaab fighters and injured several others in a fierce exchange of fire after they were ambushed by the militants in southern Somalia. The Kenyan troops were ambushed by an estimated 45 Al-Shabaab fighters as they moved from the town of Tabda to Beles Qooqani in central Jubaland to reinforce their compatriots.
“Today, at around 11.30am, Kenyan troops came under Al-Shabaab attack, which marks the first engagement with the militia force. Al-Shabaab strength at the time of attack is estimated at 45 militants,” said Kenya Defence Forces spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir in a statement.
Two Kenyan soldiers were injured, one critically during the fire exchange and were airlifted to the Advanced Dressing Station in Garissa for treatment. It was the first time the Kenyan troops were encountering resistance from the militants since they started Operation Linda Nchi 10 days ago.
“The attack was conducted as KDF was moving from Tabda to Beles Qooqani to reinforce the forward positions. Nine Al-Shabaab killed with others escaping with injuries. Two KDF troops injured, one critically. The soldiers have all been airlifted for medication,” the statement said. Earlier, Al-Shabaab caused a stir by reportedly asking for a truce and negotiations, a report later denied by Kenya Government spokesman Alfred Mutua. At the same time, Al-Shabaab was reported to have called on its supporters inside Kenya to stop throwing grenades and set off a major explosion.
The terror group’s fighters also crossed the border in Mandera and struck at Lafey. They are reported to have thrown a grenade that killed two Ministry of Education officials, a civic leader and their driver.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
US flies drones from Ethiopia to fight Somali militants
28 Oct – Source: BBC – 160 words
The US military has begun flying drone aircraft from a base in Ethiopia, as part of its fight against Islamist militants in neighboring Somalia. US officials have confirmed to the BBC that the base, in the southern city of Arba Minch, is now operational.
But they stressed that the remotely-piloted drones were being used only for surveillance, and not for air strikes. It is part of a growing counter-terrorism presence in the region as the US pursues groups with al-Qaeda links.
The US military has reportedly spent millions of dollars upgrading the remote, civilian airport – from which Reaper drones are now being flown. The remotely-piloted aircraft can be equipped with missiles and satellite guided bombs.
But officials have told the BBC the drones are flying unarmed because their use is considered sensitive by Ethiopia’s government. Their role is surveillance of the al-Shabaab militant group – based in Somalia, and already the focus of drone missions flown from other bases in the region
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
Somali rebel commander urges Kenya attacks
27 Oct – Source: AFP – 705 words
Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab rebels on Thursday called on its operatives in Kenya to launch reprisal attacks as Nairobi vowed to defeat the Islamist insurgents. Kenya deployed troops against Shabaab positions in southern Somalia 12 days ago, and heavy fighting raged between the two sides on Thursday.
“Mujahidin in Kenya including those who were trained in our military camps must fight inside Kenya,” Mukhtar Robow Ali, a top Shabaab military commander told a crowd in a village near Mogadishu. “Now is the time to act, and to act severely against the enemy — there is a need to make a huge explosion,” Ali told the gathering, some waving placards saying “Somalia is the graveyard of Crusaders”.
“We are urging Muslims in Kenya to form their own liberation army and they will get our support,” Ali added. “This is the time to show who you are.” Kenyan troops and tanks have crossed into Shabaab-held southern Somalia in an unprecedented military incursion to fight rebels it blames for attacking its territory and abducting foreigners from its soil.
Kenyan government spokesman Alfred Mutua said the country would “destroy Al-Shabaab’s network within the shortest time possible,” warning the militants posed a “clear and present danger” to the region. “Kenya has no plans or intentions to stay in Somalia an hour beyond necessary,” Mutua told reporters, but set no timeframe.
The threats come three days after two grenade blasts in Nairobi that killed one person and wounded dozens of others, and for which a Kenyan man has pleaded guilty of involvement. Kenyan police Chief Mathew Iteere said the Kenyan youth had joined Shebab forces, and called for vigilance to prevent possible attacks.
“We have credible information there is quite a number of young people who have crossed into Somalia to fight for Al-Shabaab,” Iteere said, noting that they came from several of Kenya’s ethnic groups, not just ethnic Somalis.
“We are talking about the bad elements from any of the communities.” Four people died Thursday when gunmen fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a vehicle carrying government officials in Elwak region close to the Kenyan-Somali border. “We suspect they are Al-Shabaab because they escaped towards Somalia after the incident,” said regional administrator Joseph Ole Sereni.
Kenya launched its assault after attacks on its territory and the abduction of several foreigners it blames on Shabaab extremists, claims the rebels deny. Troops and tanks have pushed some 100 kilometres (60 miles) into Shabaab-controlled southern Somalia, where fighting raged Thursday.
“Kenyan troops were attacked by the Shabaab in what is the first clash with the militia forces” on Somali soil, said Kenyan military spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir. “Nine Al-Shabaab were killed with others escaping with injuries,” he said, adding that two Kenyan soldiers were wounded, one critically.
The Shabaab for their part said they had killed 15 Kenyan soldiers. “We have carried out the first ambush attack on the enemy of Allah this afternoon near Tabto village and the Mujahedeen fighters have killed fifteen of the enemy soldiers in that ambush attack,” Sheikh Abdulaziz Abu-Musab, a Shabaab spokesman, said during a press conference in Mogadishu.
Kenyan troops have been bogged down by heavy rains and made slow progress towards the strategic Shabaab-held port of Kismayo. Mutua said the assault had been planned for months in advance, adding the operation had been “going on for quite some time.”
Kenya’s assault prompted an angry response from Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who on Monday warned he would “not allow forces entering its soil without prior agreement.” Sharif’s comments perhaps echo worries of some Somalis who oppose the Shabaab, but who have expressed concern that Kenya’s attack on the rebels may also include an attempt to carve out a buffer zone of control in the south.
However, Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on Thursday said “Kenyan forces are inside Somali territory because of our official consent, the two countries have a bilateral agreement to fight Al-Shabaab.”
Mutua also dismissed reports that Western nations were actively supporting Kenyan operations in the war-torn nation. “With the United States, France, Britain and all our partners, we discuss matters with them,” he said. “But they are not involved at all in the current operations going on inside Somalia.”
is US behind Kenya’s invasion of Somalia?
28 Oct – Source: Herald Scotland News – 122 words
But as Kenya’s army continues its push into neighboring Somalia in pursuit of insurgents from Islamist group al Shabaab, a picture is emerging that suggests this is much more than an attempt by the Kenyan Government to prevent the al Qaeda franchise from reaching its own turf.
Much has been made in the media of late about how US diplomats based in the Kenyan capital Nairobi were taken by surprise when the operation got under way and the Kenyan army trundled into a rainy season Somalia for its first cross-border military campaign in 44 years. Don’t believe a word of it.
To begin with, it’s long been known that both the US and UK run fairly elaborate counter-terrorism operations out of Nairobi.
CULTURE / OPINION /BLOGS & EDITORIAL
Kenya: Somalia – There’s need to speak in one voice
27 Oct – Source: Daily Nation / All Africa – 257 words
Contradictory positions publicly taken by the Somali Government serve only to undermine the joint military offensive with Kenya against Al-Shabaab outlaws. Hopefully, the statement issued on Wednesday after a Cabinet meeting in Mogadishu will clear any doubts over the Somali Government’s support for the mission undertaken by Kenyan troops. The Cabinet approved a National Security Stabilization Plan centered on the need to eliminate the threat posed by Al-Shabaab.
Briefing the media, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali said Kenyan troops are tackling Al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia with the approval of his government. The position directly contradicted one enunciated earlier by President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed and reinforced the previous day in an official communiqu�.
The president has expressed the view that the entry of Kenyan troops is a violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity. Conflicting positions on such a critical issue can only undermine the military action and embolden the common enemy.
There must be forums which the Somali Government can resolve any outstanding issues without bringing disagreements into the public. There must also be forums where the Kenya and Somali governments can clear any misunderstandings and display a united front.
The communiqu� issued on October 18 when the Kenyan Defense and Foreign ministers visited Mogadishu a few days after the launch of the operation was quite clear on support for a joint offensive. Hence, the resolution after the Cabinet meeting that the Somali Prime Minister appoints a special committee to oversee coordination of the war must be acted on speedily.