29 Jul 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- AMISOM / TFG Forces contain extremist threat to humanitarian operations in Mogadishu
- Nearly 20 Somalis arrested over Kenya-Somalia border blast
- Eritrea behind AU summit attack plot – UN report
- Kenyan Muslim networks fund al Shabaab: UN report
- Ahlu Sunna threatens it will clear al Shabaab from central Somalia
- 10 killed in battle to keep Somali aid flowing
- Sweden increases aid to Kenya and Somalia
PRESS STATEMENT
AMISOM / TFG Forces contain extremist threat to humanitarian operations in Mogadishu
28 Jul – Source: AMISOM Force HQ – 417 words
AMISOM and TFG forces have this morning (28 July) mounted highly targeted security operations to contain and remove the threat of continued al Shabaab attacks along the front line and increase security for IDP Camps in TFG controlled areas of Mogadishu.
This limited and pinpoint offensive has resulted in the capture of the strategically important positions of Florenza, Sinai and Monopolio Junctions in north east Mogadishu. During the course of the operation 41 civilian hostages being held by al Shabaab were able to escape to TFG controlled territory.
AMISOM Force Spokesman, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, said: “Following a period of sustained provocation from al Shabaab, our troops have dealt with specific security threats in a short tactical offensive operation. This action will further increase security in the TFG controlled areas of Mogadishu and ensure that aid agencies can continue to operate and get vital supplies to internally displaced persons”.
SOMALI MEDIA
Official: Al Shabaab masterminded bomb blast at Somalia-Kenya border
28 Jul – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Shabelle and Kulmiye – 65 words
The Governor of Gedo region accused al Shabaab of masterminding the Somalia-Kenya border bomb attack that killed four Kenyan soldiers.
10 killed in battle to keep Somali aid flowing
28 Jul- Source: Jowhar- 147 words
At least 10 people are reported to have been killed in Mogadishu, as African Union and government forces battled al Shabaab to protect the flow of food aid.
http://www.jowhar.com/news.
Al Shabaab lose Bakara market to government troops
28 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 201 words
Government troops have seized control of Bakara Market in Mogadishu after government troops and allied forces of Ahlu Sunna Wal-jama backed by the African Union peacekeeping forces in Mogadishu attacked al Shabaab militia in the area.
Nearly 20 Somalis arrested over Kenya-Somalia border blast
28 Jul- Source: Shabelle – 90 words
The Kenyan police have arrested nearly twenty Somalis over Kenya-Somali border bomb attack that killed 4 Kenyan soldiers on Wednesday.
http://www.shabelle.net/
New Puntland security minister assumes office
28 Jul- Source: Horseed Media – 231 words
A new Minister of Security has assumed office in Puntland State of Somalia.Gen. Khalif Isse Mudan, a former Somali Air Force pilot and commander, assumed office on Wednesday 27 July in a ceremony held at the compound of the Ministry of Security and DDR in Garowe, the capital of Puntland.
http://horseedmedia.net/2011/
Ahlu Sunna threatens it will clear al Shabaab from central Somalia
28 Jul – Source: Radio Shabelle, Kulmiye – 95 words
The administration of Somalia’s moderate Sufi group of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ) threatened that it will launch more offensives to dislodge al Shabaab from parts of central Somalia.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Sweden increases aid to Kenya and Somalia
28 Jul – Source: KBC – 393 words
The Swedish Government has increased the humanitarian aid to Kenya and other countries in the Horn of Africa with Ksh.2.9 billion. The additional funds are intended to meet basic needs such as health, food, water, sanitation and protection of children.
http://www.kbc.co.ke/news.asp?
Security beefed up along Kenya-Somalia border
28 Jul- Source: The Standard- 347 words
Security has been beefed up along the Kenya-Somalia border over what security agencies termed as threat of an attack from Somalia’s militant group al Shabaab.
http://www.standardmedia.co.
Hijacked UAE oil tanker freed by Somali pirates
28 Jul- Source: the National-291 words
A small oil tanker owned by a Sharjah firm has been released by Somali pirates without a ransom payment, after the Somali cargo owners pressed local tribal leaders and government officials to intervene.
http://www.thenational.ae/
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenyan Muslim networks fund al Shabaab: UN report
28 Jul – Source: Reuters – 281 words
Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked rebels have extensive funding, recruiting and training networks within neighbouring Kenya, and have also established connections with jihadist groups across the continent, according to a UN report.
http://af.reuters.com/article/
6 die in offensive to protect Somali relief effort
28 Jul – Source: AJC, VOA, BBC, ABC, New York Times – 366 words
African Union forces killed six people Thursday in an offensive aimed at protecting famine relief efforts from attacks by al-Qaida-linked militants in Somalia’s capital, officials said. At least 20 others were wounded during the operation, said Ali Muse, the head of the ambulance service in Mogadishu.
http://www.ajc.com/health/6-
Eritrea behind AU summit attack plot – UN report
28 Jul – Source: Reuters, Telegraph, Washington Times, The Guardian, BBC – 229 words
Eritrea was behind a plot to attack an African Union summit in Ethiopia in January and is bankrolling al Qaeda-linked Somali rebels through its embassy in Kenya, according to a U.N. report.
http://af.reuters.com/article/
Has Somalia’s famine weakened al Shabaab?
28 Jul – Source: VOA – 755 words
One of the biggest obstacles to providing aid to Somalia has been the heavy hand of the al-Qaida linked militant group al Shabaab, which has so far dictated which aid groups are allowed in and which are banned. But some analysts say the crisis has actually weakened the militant group.
http://www.voanews.com/
BLOGS/EDITORIAL/CULTURE
The famine in Somalia
28 Jul – Source: New York Times – 196 words
The devastating famine in Somalia — and its spillover into neighboring nations — highlights the fault lines in our foreign policy. That Western governments have continued to ignore this failed state, refused to reconcile with the country’s clan-based leadership, and pursue counterterrorism efforts that only worsen Somalia’s instability and do nothing to address the basic human needs of a dying population shows how much we have to learn.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/