March 21, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
TFG, Raskamboni retake Diif town, near Kenyan border
20 Mar – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 133 words
Somali forces backed by allied militias on Tuesday retook the key border town of Diif from al Shabaab militants without facing resistance from the militant fighters, reports say.
Key Headlines
- Culture Returns to Mogadishu after 21 years of war ( Source: TFG)
- TFG Raskamboni retake Diif town near Kenyan border ( Source: Radio Bar-kulan)
- UN refugee agency alarmed by resumption of mortar attacks in Somalia (Source: UN/BBC/Reuters/VOA )
- Sri Lanka donates rice to Somalia and East Africa (Source: Sri Lanka News)
- A fierce battle rages on in Eel-dher town in Galgadud province ( Source: Radio Risaala)
- Somali military says learns of Al-Shabaab plots to stage attacks in capital (Source: Radio Shabelle )
PRESS STATEMENT
Culture returns to Mogadishu after 21 years of war
20 Mar – Source: TFG – 497 words
For the first time in 21 years a play was performed in the Somali National Theatre in Mogadishu. A huge enthusiastic audience watched the historic performance by the famous Waberi Band last night in the Presence of almost all the leaders of the Transitional Federal Government. Among them were the President of the Republic H.E. Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the Prime Minister H.E. Abdiwali Mohamed Ali and the Minister of Information H.E. Abdulkadir Hussein Mohamed (Jaahweyn) as well as many other Ministers and other high ranking officials from the government, the Armed services and civil society.
This historic performance was transmitted life by almost all the Somali TV and radio channels and was listened to or watched by millions of happy Somalis inside the country and abroad. Many other international broadcasters also gave it a comprehensive coverage. However, the happiness and the enthusiasm was in stark contrast to the debilitated condition of the National Theatre brought about by over 20 years of civil war.
Famous Somali singers in the Diaspora gave a nostalgic and moving interviews to broadcasters, remembering what the National Theatre was like in the days before the calamity of the civil war. They were all unanimous in saying that the condition of the National Theatre reflects that of our fractured nation.
Similarly, the entire Somali Diaspora was glued to their TV sets watching this memorable and historic performance by the Waberi band, of Radio Mogadishu; arguably the most important institution created by Somalis for Somalis.
The Prime Minister in a brief address to those present said, “ today we are holding this memorable event in Mogadishu but tomorrow this play will be performed in Beledwene, then in Baidoa and Kismayo after that, and then in the rest of the country as it is liberated.”
The Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications said, “ For a large audience of a thousand people, in the centre of Mogadishu, to listen to the sound of music and poetry instead of the thunder of artillery and mortar is an unparalleled achievement that the TFG and Somali people all over the country have worked very hard for in the past few or so years.” “And for the Home of Somali Music and culture, in the best part of nearly half a century, to be in such a condition, as you can see, is a silent testimony to the suffering of our land and of our people.” The Minister continued.
“ But, if any one was in doubt that a turning point has not been reached in the fortunes of our country, this performance was milestone that marked the beginning of a new era in which the road ahead can only lead to peace, prosperity and reconciliation.” The Information Minister concluded. The President of the Republic who also addressed the audience promised to the Waberi Artists and the Somali public that the National Theatre will from now on continue to function as it is being rebuilt and refurbished.
SOMALI MEDIA
TFG, Raskamboni retake Diif town, near Kenyan border
20 Mar – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 133 words
Somali forces backed by allied militias on Tuesday retook the key border town of Diif from al Shabaab militants without facing resistance from the militant fighters, reports say.
A fierce battle rages on in Eel-dher town in Galgadud province
20 Mar – Source: Radio Risaala – 89 words
Reports say that heavy fighting is ongoing in Eel-Dheer Town in the outskirts of Dhusamareb between Ahlusuna and al Shabaab fighters. Residents and eyewitnesses in the area confirmed that the fighting is ongoing and the sound of fire and explosions can be heard in all the neighboring towns and villages.
Three beheaded bodies found near Somali-Kenya border
20 Mar – Source: Shabelle – 125 words
At least three beheaded bodies of young Somali men were discovered on Tuesday in the heart of the border town of Beled-Hawo in Gedo region, according to local residents. Reports said the beheaded bodies of three young men, believed to have been kidnapped yesterday afternoon for unknown reasons by Somali government forces, were found in the Beled-Hawo district of Gedo region early on Tuesday, sparking off fears by locals.
Somali military: al Shabaab plotting stage attacks in capital
20 Mar – Source: Radio Shabelle – 208 words
Senior military officials have said they have learnt of plots in which al Shabaab plans to launch fresh attacks in Mogadishu.
The commander for the Somali military, General Abdikarin Yusuf Adan alias Dhagabadan while speaking to the media said they have learnt of new plots by al Shabaab in which the group is to stage attacks in Mogadishu adding that they are also aware of houses in the capital where al Shabaab members reside.
Ahlu Sunna claims killing dozens of al Shabaab militants in Dusamareb
20 Mar – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 244 words
More than 20 al Shabaab militants were killed and dozen others wounded during a gun-battle with Ahlu Sunna militias in central Somalia town of Dusamareb earlier today, officials claim. Ahlu Sunna’s Guri’el district commissioner, Osman Isse Noor says their fighters killed several militans after al Shabaab militants attacked Dusamareb town early on Tuesday morning.
President Farole travels through Karkaar region
20 Mar – Source: Garowe Online – 206 words
A delegation led by Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole met with clan elders and other district officials in Puntland in the region of Karkaar on Monday.
REGIONAL MEDIA
100 Shabaab ‘dead’ in battle
20 Mar – Source: Capital FM – 390 words
More than 100 al Shabaab militants were killed during intense fighting Tuesday with fighters of the Ahlusunna Waljamaa in the town of Dhusamareb in Central Somalia. The Head of the Political Section of Ahlusunna Waljamaa, Abdisalan Adan Hussein told Capital FM News in Nairobi that at least ten of their members were killed during the fighting, and thirty more wounded.
UNHCR cautions Kenya on planned repatriation of Somali refugees
20 Mar – Source: Coastweek, Xinhua – 645 words
The UN refugee agency on Monday told the Kenyan government to be cautious when carrying out repatriation of Somali refugees from the refugee camps in the east African nation. UNHCR spokesperson Vivian Tang said the planned relocation of Somali refugees should be done after a thorough assessment of the security situation in southern and central Somalia to ensure their safety back home.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
UN refugee agency alarmed by resumption of mortar attacks in Somalia
20 Mar – Source: UN/BBC/Reuters/VOA – 255 words
The United Nations refugee agency today expressed concern over the resumption of mortar attacks in the Somalia capital of Mogadishu, which led to the deaths of at least four internally displaced persons (IDPs), including two children.
Mortars landed in a small IDP settlement in the Wardhigley district on Monday morning, marking the first attack of its kind since August when anti-government forces withdrew from the majority of districts in the capital.
Sri Lanka donates rice to Somalia and East Africa
20 Mar – Source: Sri Lanka News – 205 words
Sri Lanka Tuesday donated 10,000 mertic tons of rice to Somalia and east Africa. The consignment was handed over to the World Food Programme to be sent to Ethiopia, where tens of thousands of refugees have fled, after devastating drought contributed to famine in Somalia last year. The symbolic hand over of the rice to WFP’s was held at Temple Trees where President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the acting Country Director Ms. Azeb Asrat were present.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The YouTube message poses a major public relations problem for the terrorist organization, as the video appeared to be the first time an American member – particularly one so widely known for his recruiting efforts — had publicly broken ranks.”
An American Jihadist in Somalia Claims His Colleagues Want to Kill Him
20 Mar – Source: The Lede Blog (NYT) – 360 Words
In a YouTube video posted Friday, Mr. Hammami, who goes by the name Abu Mansour al-Amriki (“the American”), said his “life may be endangered” because of an ideological disagreement with the group, which he refers to by its full name, Harakat Shabaab al-Mujahideen.
“I record this message today because I feel that my life may be endangered by Harakat Shabaab al-Mujahideen,” said Mr. Hammami, “due to some differences that occurred between us regarding matters of the Shariah and matters of strategy.”
Mr. Hammami, a charismatic 27-year-old known for his hip-hop music tracks about his wish to die a martyr and who was once president of the sophomore class at his high school in Daphne, Ala., has in many ways become the American face of Islamism. He has urged young Muslims from the West to join Al Shabab, an Al Qaeda-aligned organization seeking to overthrow the Somali government.