February 13, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

AU forces to attack al Shabaab stronghold

12 Feb- Source: AFP- 304 words

African Union forces in Somalia are planning to attack a stronghold town of Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab rebels to the west of the war-torn country’s capital, a commander said Sunday.
Audace Nduwumunsi, the AU force’s deputy commander, said the troops are planning to raid Afgoye town, which is some 30 kilometres west of Mogadishu and hosts the biggest population of displaced Somalis.

Key Headlines

Europe ready to fund Kenya war effort but only if it joins AMISOM (The Standard)
President Sharif urges Somalis to fight al Shabaab (Radio Bar-kulan Radio Mogadishu)
Shabaab-Qaeda link a weakness says KDF (Daily Nation)
US concerned about Shebab move with Al-Qaeda (AFP)
AMISOM: We ask the world for help in fighting against al Shabaab (Shabelle)
Calm returns to parts of Beledweyne after a day of deadly fight (Radio Bar-Kulan)
At least 11 dead 34 missing after boat with Somali migrants capsizes (CNN)

PRESS STATEMENT

Official position of the TFG regarding unification of Al-Shabaab and Al Qaeda

13 Feb- Source: TFG, SONNA- 336 words

The Somali government is responding to the announcement, on the 9th of February, 2012 by the Al-Qaida leader Ayman Al-Zawahri and the Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane which was about the official union of Al-Shabaab with the terrorist organization of Al-Qaida and which was carried in their web sites.

The Somali government was never in doubt that Al-Shabaab was a branch of Al-Qaida, as witnessed now by the correspondence of their respective leaders.

The Somali government hopes that it is has been clearly proved to the whole world that the war in Somalia in the past years was between the Somali government aided by Amisom forces and Al-Qaida.

We also believe that their union will increase the insecurity in Somalia, East Africa and the rest of the world and that Somalia risks becoming an Al-Qaida base in East Africa as the Al-Qaida leader said in his statement.

The Somali government will not take lightly the danger from their official union and will put all its forces as well as the general public at the highest alert to confront the likely danger to the security of Somalia and the east African region.

The Somali government is requesting from the international community to stand by the Somali government and people and take the following steps.

1. To lift the arms embargo on Somalia so that it could defend the country and complete the achievements of the Somali army and AMISOM forces.

2. To increase and reinforce the Somali National Army

3. To give direct assistance to the Somali government on all sides, so that it may fulfil its obligation to bring back peace and stability to the country.

Finally, we ask all the young people that have been misled by Al-Shabaab to stop working with them since its clear to them that this group has shown its true colour by joining the international criminal group of Al-Qaida. The Somali government is giving them the last chance for them to lay down their arms and follow the peaceful way.

Minister Abdiweli visits wounded at Hotel Fatxi explosion

10 Feb- Source: Office of the Prime Minister- 262 words

Somalia’s Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali while in the company of some council of ministers today visited Madina Hospital where those wounded in the deadly explosion two days ago at Hotel Fatxi are undergoing treatment.

In the company of the premier were minister for health Dr. Abdiaziz Sheikh Yussuf, minister for information Abdulkadir Mohaked Jaahweyn, state minister for the office of the Prime Minister Dr. Ali Nur Duale, assistant minister for labour Dahir Haji Gelle and they all soley inspected the wounded in the different wards of the hospitals.

The premier, after seeing some of the wounded, was horrified of the incident terming it as tragedy which is tantamount to criticism and taking of stringent measures against the perpetrators.
“Actually, this is catastrophic. Those who meted out this atrocity will be penalised by God”, said the Prime Minister thanking the Madina Hospital doctors for their unwavering support and dedication to their work. Dr. Mohamed Yussuf was at the forefront of nursing the wounded at the hospital.

Dr. Abdiweli criticised Al-shabab for their bestiality and their arrogance in boasting about the deadly attack. He urged the public not to support them at all.

“These elements will be soon wiped out of the country but the Somali people should stand beside us and cooperate with our security agencies. It’s pitiable to see someone perishing himself. We can confront them if we get the support of the public”, the premier said praying for the dead for mercy and the injured quick recovery. He added that the government will do everything possible to help the wounded.

SOMALI MEDIA

Kenya seals border with Somalia

12 Feb- Source: Radio Bar-kulan, the Standad- 143 words

Kenya has sealed its border with Somalia to prevent Somali militants from entering the country.
Kenyan Internal Security Minister George Saitoti Saturday called on the security agencies to remain vigilant and vet all visitors to the country, Xinhua reported. Speaking at a security meeting Saitoti said there have been reports that members of al Shabaab were trying to sneak into the country through the neighbouring countries.

Somali PM speaks about the Garowe and London conferences and urges Somalis to take advantage of the opportunity

11 Feb- Source: Radio Mogadishu, Somalia Report- 116 words

Somali Prime Minister Abdiwali Mohamed Ali announced that the next phase of the Garowe Principles Conference will be held this month. During the Garowe Conference, the PM stated that the stakeholders will discuss how to implement the UN backed Roadmap, the Somali constitution and how to end the transitional period to a permanent federal government.

President Sharif urges Somalis to fight al Shabaab

10 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Radio Mogadishu – 105 words

Somalia’s President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has called on the General public to fight against al Shabaab rebel group in order to wipe them out of the country. He said the group aims completely butchering innocent people in the country, thus time is ripe for a common position against the group.

AMISOM: We ask the world for help in fighting against al Shabaab

12 Feb – Source: Shabelle – 217 words

The African Union peacekeepers in Somalia capital, Mogadishu on Sunday asked the International community for a strong support war on Islamic fighters from the militant al Shabaab group linked with al Qaeda. Lieutenant colonel Paddy Ankunda and AMISOM spokesman in Mogadishu called on nations in the region to work together to help AU soldiersovercome the ongoing military struggle which is aimed to eradicate the militants from Somalia.

Somali religious committee claimed the al Qaeda and al Shabaab union will escalate the Somali conflict

11 Feb- Source: Radio Mogadishu, Somali Report- 63 words

The Somali religious committee has declared that the union between the terrorist groups of al Qaeda and al Shabaab may lead to more problems for the Somali people. “It will escalate the negative consequences confronting the Somali people which the two groups are already part of. Now they unveiled their hidden face,” the chairman of Somali religious committee, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Salad said.

Somalia President calls for tougher anti-piracy action

11 Feb – Source: Hiiraan Online – 128 words

Somalia’s President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed has said foreign navies have failed to stop piracy in in the waters off Somalia and the Horn of Africa. Speaking during an occasion markinf the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Somalia’s coast guard force, the President Ahmed said, “As you know, there are many foreign navies around us but these have failed to eliminate piracy along our waters”.

Calm returns to parts of Beledweyne after a day of deadly fight

12 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 108 words

Normalcy has reportedly returned to Beledweyne town following yesterday’s deadly clashes between two pro-government militias. Reports say Ethiopian troops intervened in the dispute between the two militia groups who clashed yesterday in Beledweyne’s Horumar neighbourhood.

Al Shabaab insurgents attack coalition forces

12 Feb – Source: Garowe Online – 156 words

After officially joining Al Qaeda on Friday, al Shabaab insurgents attacked Somali and Kenyan troops stationed in the southern town of Busaar, Garowe reports. The insurgents ambushed Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Kenyan troops; the fighting lasted for more than an hour with both sides using heavy artillery.

Somalia speaker returns home, urges MPs to unite

10 Feb – Source: Radio Shabelle – 197 words

The Speaker of Somalia’s TFG Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden has on Friday returned in the capital, Mogadishu after attending the international crisis group summit held in neighboring Djibouti last week. Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden briefed the media about his trip in Djibouti where he took part in the ICG summit on Somalia.

Somali gov’t: al Shabaab presence in the country will be concluded soon

11 Feb – Source: Shabelle – 182 words

The TFG has on Saturday promised battle against the Islamic militants of al Shabaab linked with Al-Qaeda in south and central regions in the country. The Minster of Defense for Somalia government Hussein Arab Isse told reporters in Mogadishu that his government is currently setting a major military strategy to eradicate al Shabaab from south-central Somalia in order to build peace and restore law and order in the country.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Europe ready to fund Kenya war effort but only if it joins AMISOM

12 Feb- Source: the Standard- 161 words

The European Union says it is ready to support an expanded African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to include Kenyan troops. This even as the EU’s new Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mr Alexander Rondos expressed concern that the entrance of regional armies into Somalia pursuing separate aims could complicate getting a solution to the conflict. “We are watching very carefully who chooses to be an obstacle to that process of stabilisation in Somalia,” said Mr Rondos.

UN unveils new look Amisom as Kenya joins up

11 Feb – Source: East African – 345 words

Kenya is to send close to 5,000 soldiers to serve under a new look African Union Mission to Somalia. The United Nation Security Council last week released details on the strength and command structure of the expanded Amisom peacekeeping force. A report by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reveals that Kenya will provide 4,700 troops and will be based in Sector 2, covering Middle and Lower Juba regions (Kismayu).

Shabaab-Qaeda link a weakness, says KDF

11 Feb- Source: Daily Nation- 339 words

The move by al Shabaab to join ranks with al-Qaeda will attract more international support to efforts to crush the militants, the military has said.
Kenya Defence Forces spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna said al Shabaab’s merger with al-Qaeda had opened the way for other international players involved in the fight against terrorism to take part in the war against al Shabaab.

KDF: Shabaab, Qaeda merger will attract global forces fighting terrorism

11 Feb- Source: the Standard- 228 words

By formally joining Al Qaeda, the Al Shabaab has now exposed itself to international forces fighting terrorism, officer in charge of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Col Cyrus Oguna has said.
Col Oguna indicated that the war in Somalia is now beyond KDF and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) against Al Shabaab but that of international forces against the Somali militants.

Mobile hospital concludes mission at Somali border

10 Feb- Source: Gulf News- 113 words

The Emirates Humanitarian Mobile Hospital has concluded its 6-month-long medical mission at the Somali- Kenyan border. The services of the hospital come within the world humanitarian initiative to treat one million children and elderly worldwide. The programme was launched under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairperson of the General Women’s Union and of the Family Development Foundation and under supervision of the Emirati medical team to provide humanitarian assistance to the refugees at the camps in Horn of Africa.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

AU forces to attack al Shabaab stronghold

12 Feb- Source: AFP- 304 words

US concerned about Shebab move with Al-Qaeda

11 Feb- Source: AFP- 226 words

The United States said Friday it is more concerned than ever about the danger posed by Somalia’s extremist Shebab fighters now that they have apparently joined ranks with Al-Qaeda.
“It’s bad and it’s dangerous and it’s further to our grave concerns about al-Shebab and the danger it poses in that part of the world,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.
But she said she was referring to press accounts that could not be independently verified.

At least 11 dead, 34 missing after boat with Somali migrants capsizes

10 Feb – Source: CNN – 222 words

A boat carrying Somalis fleeing violence in their homeland capsized this week in the Gulf of Aden, leaving at least 11 people dead and another 34 missing, a U.N. agency said.
The vessel carrying 58 people, and captained by three smugglers, had set off from Somalia destined for Yemen last Saturday, the United Nations refugee agency said Friday in a news release.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“To better understand the mentality of the people in Somalia, we need to go back to the last few months that preceded the independence of Somalia from Italy and the early days of the Somaliland-Somalia union. The political leaders of Somalia were on each others throat and there was a political disaster that was waiting to happen in Somalia, which was gratefully then averted by the Somaliland-Somalia union. The politicians in Somalia got an outsider – Somaliland, whom they all agreed to oppress. In contrast to Somalilanders expectation of fair power sharing process, Somalia opportunistically opted to unilaterally take the Presidency, the Prime Ministerial post and almost all the other Ministerial portfolios of the newly formed union and without consulting with the Somaliland’s democratically elected politicians.”

Understanding Somalia’s antagonism towards Somaliland independence

11 Feb – Source: Somaliland Press – 763 Words

I am sure the “United Somalia” empty slogan will be shouted some trillion times or perhaps zillion times both inside and outside the conference hall before and during the up coming international London conference on Somalia. There is a special significance to this slogan and is used tactfully to conceal the well documented terrible Somalia oppression that finally led to the internationally ignored genocide in Somaliland.

The international community needs to better understand an unwritten malevolent rule that exists in the minds of the Somalia people. They believe that Somalia will not be able to stand on its own feet and sustain itself politically without a Somaliland that can be ill-treated and loathed in times of Somalia’s political upheavals and frustrations. Not only that, Somaliland is used as scapegoat, nuisance- relief and as a punching bag by the gory Somalia public and equally by their hard-nosed political leaders. Thus, the only thing that Somalia people agree upon without reservation is the motto that says: “Somaliland independence and development must be fought and be destroyed”. Among many other malicious smearing political campaigns and violent acts – Somaliland insurgency groups are created and supported by the Somalia people from Garoowe in Puntland to Mogadishu.

“Al Shabaab presents a danger, both regionally and internationally, that goes well beyond ‘Operation Linda Nchi’ and the offensives in and around Mogadishu with the African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM.”

“There is a widespread and justified fear that the hundreds of foreign fighters receiving terrorist training and radicalisation in the conflict are poised to export terror to their home countries should the group lose the territory it holds and be forced underground.”

Region must stop Shabaab from exporting terror

11 Feb – Source: The Standard/Hiiraan Online – 649 Words

Nobody is surprised that Somalia’s Al Shabaab extremists have formally announced they are joining Al Qaeda, the global terror group they have been affiliated to for years.

As US counter-terrorism officials have pointed out, the recent video announcement by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri and Al Shabaab senior leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, also known as ‘Abu Zubeyr’, only confirms what has been common knowledge for some time.

It may be little more than an attempt to boost morale at a time several key leaders have been killed and no major attacks against the West have been attempted in close to six years.

Factions of Harakat Al Shabaab Al Mujahideen linked to leaders like ‘Abu Zubeyr’ and his alleged successor Ibrahim Haji Jama Mee’aad or ‘Ibrahim al-Afghani’ share a long history with Al Qaeda and its affiliates.

“Al Shabaab is being hit from three sides in Somalia. In Mogadishu, African Union forces from Uganda and Burundi have largely pushed al Shabaab out of the capital, though they still can carry out terror attacks. Kenyan forces who moved into Somalia in October are pressuring al Shabaab from the south, and Ethiopian forces are pressuring them from the west.”

That pressure — along with a drop in popular support because of the harsh, Taliban-style social rules the group imposes — are among the reasons al Shabaab wanted the new al Qaeda brand name, said Abdi Hassan, a former al Shabaab fighter.

Al Shabaab, al Qaeda: Linkup of groups in decline?

11 Feb – Source: AP – 1120 Words

Al Qaeda’s decision to formally extend its terror franchise to what once was a nationalist movement in Somalia may only be a desperate joining of hands to prop up two militant groups that are both losing popular support and facing increasingly deadly military attacks, analysts said Friday.
Somalia’s main militant group, al Shabaab, and al Qaeda have been patting each other on the back for years. On Thursday, al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri formalized the relationship by giving “glad tidings” that al Shabaab had joined al Qaeda.

Al-Shabab, which began as a movement to oust Ethiopian troops from Somalia some six years ago, has long been using terror tactics like suicide bombings and car bombings against the weak Somali government and African Union troops in Mogadishu.