June 13, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
Ethiopian troops abandon some Somali towns
12 Jun – Source: AP – 112 words
Witnesses say that hundreds of gun-toting al Shabaab fighters have moved back into central Somali towns abandoned over the last week by Ethiopian troops. Ali Muhyadin, a resident in the town of El-bur, said Tuesday that residents woke up on Sunday and found that Ethiopian troops had abandoned their bases. Residents said al Shabab fighters then beheaded two men accused of collaborating with the Ethiopians and dumped their headless bodies in town.
Key Headlines
- President Sharif meets elders in Afgoye (Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu)
- Ethiopian troops quit from Beled-Hawa in Gedo region (Kulmiye/Jowhar Online/SONNA)
- Al Shabaab arrest people in El Bur town central Somalia (Shabelle)
- Al Shabaab suspicious of men in Bardere Gedo region (Somalia Report)
- Uganda arrests another terror suspect (New Vision)
- Raila seeks EU US help in battle for Kismayu (AP)
SOMALI MEDIA
President Sharif meets elders in Afgoye
12 Jun – Source: Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu – 104 words
President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed yesterday paid a visit to the recently captured Afgoye town where he held talks with local elders and civil society leaders. Security and possible administrative authority for the area was said to be among other issues discussed in the meeting which was also attended by several cabinet ministers.
Ethiopian troops quit from Beled-Hawa in Gedo region
12 Jun – Source: Radio Kulmiye/SONNA/ Jowhar Online – 114 words
Ethiopian troops stationed in Beled-hawo city of Gedo region southwest Somali yesterday morning withdrew from that city, currently controlled by Somali national forces. The Ethiopian forces are reported to be heading to Dalow city located in the border between Ethiopia and Somalia. The reason why Ethiopian troops vacated Beled-Hawa is not yet clear but TFG officials explained that their leaving is only for military tactics.
Al Shabaab arrest people in El Bur town, central Somalia
12 Jun – Source: Shabelle – 110 words
Al Shabaab militants yesterday detained at least four people in Somalia’s central town of El Bur, accusing them of having links with Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a and Ethiopian forces, who deserted the town before the militants rolled in on Sunday. According to local residents, two women are among the people arrested by al Shabaab fighters after ASWJ and Ethiopian forces abandoned the town on Monday for what the officials called ‘military tactics’.
Somaliland condemns attack against a High Court Judge in Hargeisa
12 Jun – Source: Bar-kulan – 110 words
Somalia’s breakaway northern region of Somaliland has condemned the recent attack against a high court judge in Hargeisa. Speaking at a press briefing in Hargeisa, Internal Security Minister Mohamed Noor Arale condemned the attack against Abdirashid Duran, Hargeisa High Court Judge who was injured on Monday morning by unknown gangs.
Al Shabaab suspicious of men in Bardere, Gedo region
12 Jun – Source: Somalia Report – 124 words
Residents of Bardere (Bardere), in Somalia’s Gedo region, one of the few towns fully under the control of al Shabaab said tensions are high in the town after the militia ordered (by way of loud speakers) that any male, including youths and elders who are not Mujahidins fighters, must have their photo taken. The exercise which started last Friday is compulsory and failure to adhere to this rule would result in severe punishment.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Uganda arrests another terror suspect
12 Jun – Source: New Vision – 402 words
Ugandan Police are holding another terror suspect arrested from a Christian Born-Again crusade in a city suburb. Police has over the past two weeks been on a hunt for at least four suspected terrorists who reportedly sneaked into Uganda from Kenya. Police last a week ago arrested a suspected terrorist only identified as Hussein, but he isn’t among the four wanted terrorists.
Raila seeks EU, US help in battle for Kismayu
12 Jun – Source: Capital News/AP – 172 words
The EU and the US have been asked to help the African Union force in Somalia (AMISOM) to wrest the port of Kismayu from Somalia’s Al Shabaab Islamists, PM Raila Odinga said Tuesday. “Our aim is to get to Kismayu by August,” Odinga said, saying that taking the Al Shabaab’s last bastion would entail an “operation by land, sea and air.” “We have asked the EU to help us with the Atalanta forces that they have there; they are reluctant,” Odinga told a meeting with international media.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Ethiopian troops abandon some Somali towns
12 Jun – Source: AP – 112 words
Witnesses say that hundreds of gun-toting al Shabaab fighters have moved back into central Somali towns abandoned over the last week by Ethiopian troops. Ali Muhyadin, a resident in the town of El-bur, said Tuesday that residents woke up on Sunday and found that Ethiopian troops had abandoned their bases. Residents said al Shabab fighters then beheaded two men accused of collaborating with the Ethiopians and dumped their headless bodies in town.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Welcome back to the beaches, to the sunshine, to the guntino and beautiful butterfly diri, welcome to the isbarmuuto, to the samusa that al Shabaab banned for being a symbol of trinity. Welcome to your businesses, to your culture, your folklore dances, your music, your entertainment. Welcome to visiting the graves of our revered saints and men of piety “Awliya”, welcome to practice your religious rituals as you please without looking behind your shoulders in fear of al Shabaab brandishing their Kalashnikovs and herding you to their devious rituals.”
Somalia: Welcome back
12 Jun – Source: Source: Harowo – 1557 Words
With the arrest of the notorious Hassan Dahir Aweys, the inevitable defeat and apprehending of Ahmed Abdi Godane, the Joseph Kony of Somalia and his al Shabaab gang of criminals, and the ongoing Turkish-led momentum to get things right this time, one can confidently say: “Somalia, welcome back.”