August 1, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Defence minister announces removal of illegal checkpoints in Lower Shabelle

31 Jul- Source: Radio Risaala/Somalia Today Online- 112 words

Somali federal government has expressed its intention to remove illegal checkpoints along the road connecting the capital Mogadishu and Lower Shabelle province, these barriers will be lifted within a few days, Somali defence minister said. Defense Minister Abdihakim Haji Mohamoud Fiqi said during his appearance before Parliament that there is a plan to remove all the illegal road blocks between Bandir and Lower Shabelle region. The defense minister said that the government succeeded in removing illegal checkpoints in the capital, Mogadishu, adding that the government will remove those in Lower Shabelle.

Key Headlines

US terror clampdown cuts remittance lifeline to Somalia – Oxfam (Reuters/ trust.org)
Wadajir district administration claims arrest of al Shabaab suspects (Radio Dalsan)
Al Shabaab demands money from locals in El-Bur areas (Radio Bar-kulan)
Foreigners destabilising us claims al Shabaab leader (Africa Review)
Puntland security agencies on high alert for possible terror attacks (Garowe Online)
Somali forces set to advance to al Shabaab strongholds (Radio Bar-kulan)
Families of 2 freed Kenyans yet to see them ( Capital News)
Targeting Somali business hub in city fuels firm’s growth (Daily Nation)

SOMALI MEDIA

Wadajir district administration claims arrest of al Shabaab suspects

31 Jul- Source: Radio Dalsan – 92 words

Officials of Wadajir district administration in Mogadishu said they have arrested some al Shabaab suspects following search operation conducted in the neighborhood. Mo’alim Mohamud Saney who is Wadajir district security officer said the security forces were investigating several individuals in connection with last week’s bomb explosion at a house in neighborhood. “We are probing their cases and we shall release any one found not guilty,” he said. Police have scaled up the security in Wadajir area after last week’s bomb explosion which killed three people and injured many more.

Puntland security agencies on high alert for possible terror attacks

31 Jul- Source: Garowe Online- 239 words

Somalia’s Puntland government has put the entire security sector on standby for possible terror attacks as eight days remain the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Garowe Online reports. Speaking at a press conference held in Puntland capital of Garowe on Wednesday, Nugal Governor Abdi Hirsi Ali Qarjab told that Puntland security forces launched a massive security operation in Garowe last Tuesday to seize vehicles with tinted windows which are a source for crimes including bombings and assassinations.

Al Shabaab demands money from locals in El-Bur areas

31 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan-137 words

Al Shabaab rebel group in El-Bur and l-Dhere districts of Galgadud region has compelled local residents to contribute money for the al Qaeda-affiliated group.
The militant group has reportedly ordered 1 dollar to each and everyone leaving these two districts and its outskirts. Addressing area residents, Hassan Yacqub Ali, a senior al Shabaab member in El-Bur district ordered resident to pay the money as soon as possible. He added that the money contributed will be used for group’s ongoing battle with the Somali Federal government forces that captured key towns and villages from the outlawed group. Locals reportedly told the rebel group that they cannot afford to pay the amount required from them. The cash strapped militia group is known for such actions whenever faced by either military pressure or financial crisis.

Defence minister announces removal of illegal checkpoints in Lower Shabelle

31 Jul- Source: Radio Risaala/Somalia Today Online- 112 words

Somali forces set to advance to al Shabaab strongholds

31 Jul- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 126 words

Somali Federal government forces set to advance on the southern regions of Bay and Bakool, key strongholds of the al Qaeda-affiliated militant group al Shabaab, according to a senior government official in the area. Speaking to Bar-kulan, Somali government leading commander in Qansaxdher frontline of Bay region Col Ibrahim Abdi Aden said that the Somali National Army is in the final preparations to advance rebel-held areas of Bay and Bakool regions. Col Ibrahim added that the government troops received warm welcome from the locals, and they are looking forward working with them. What described to be “the final assault” by the joint troops of Somali government and AU peacekeeping forces has been underway in many parts of the southern Somali regions where al Qaeda-linked group still remains active.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Foreigners destabilising us, claims al Shabaab leader

31 Jul- Source: Africa Review- 294 words
The supreme leader of the Somalia’s al Shabaab has accused foreign countries of destabilising the terror group as he sought to rally its leaders and fighters following reports of internal rifts. Through a voice messageon Tuesday, Ahmed Abdi Godane, who is better known as Sheikh Mukhtar Abdurahman Abu Zubayr accused countries like Qatar and Turkey of using divisive tactics to scatter the radical Islamist group. “There are forces trying to divide the movement’s leadership and its fighters,” said Godane.

Families of 2 freed Kenyans yet to see them

31 Jul- Source: Capital News- 589 words

About three days have gone by since the release of the two Kenyans who were abducted by Somalia’s al Shabaab militants in January 2012. And despite numerous assurances from the government that Mule Yesse and Fredrick Irungu have already gone back to their homes, their families are yet to lay their eyes on them, let alone hug and enjoy each others’ embrace. The anxiety notwithstanding, it has become a waiting game for the two families as they look forward to being reunited with their loved ones.

Targeting Somali business hub in city fuels firm’s growth

31 Jul- Source: Daily Nation- 553 words

It started as a travel agency, primarily targeting the business community of Somali origin in Eastleigh, Nairobi. According to Abdulgani Ali, the managing director of Sagal Travel and Tours, the firm was established in 2000 to tap the growing business opportunities in Eastleigh. Before then, the business community in Eastleigh faced challenges getting a travel services that would cater their needs, either in business, leisure or religious.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

US terror clampdown cuts remittance lifeline to Somalia – Oxfam

31 Jul- Source: Reuters/ trust.org- 620 words

US anti-terror regulations are hurting poor families in Somalia who depend on remittances from abroad to survive, Oxfam said in a report on Wednesday. Diaspora remittances are the biggest foreign currency earner for Somalia, which is slowly emerging from two decades of civil conflict and recurrent drought. An estimated 600,000 to 800,000 Somalis living in the diaspora send home some $1.3 billion a year to support their relatives. The United States is the largest source of remittances. But virtually all major US banks have stopped offering remittance services to Somalis in the United States because of counter-terrorism regulations.

Ethiopian ambassador: Attack on Turkish Embassy “unacceptable”

31 Jul- Source: Anatolia News Agency-220 words

Ethiopia’s Ambassador in Ankara Mulatu Teshome Wirtu has said, “What was the Turkish Embassy doing there? Helping Somali people return to their normal lives. Terrorists are enemies of life, peace, stability and democracy. Terrorists don’t like tranquility.” Wirtu evaluated the attack on the Turkish Embassy in Somalia and Turkey-Ethiopia relations to Anadolu Agency. Defining the attack on the Turkish Embassy as “unacceptable,” Wirtu said terrorists aimed at ruining relations of friendly states.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“If the human costs of piracy are to be reduced, strong leadership will be required from the European Union and the United States, preferably in close coordination with the United Nations and other important stakeholders like China, India and Russia. It is also critical for Washington to support existing U.N., NATO, E.U. and other counterpiracy initiatives and to work closely with these organizations and countries until piracy once again becomes an activity that takes place largely in the movies.”

Shutting Down the Piracy Business

31 July- Source: New York Times-788 Words

U.S. federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for three Somalis convicted of murdering four Americans whose yacht was captured by pirates in the Indian Ocean off Oman in 2011. Although nearly two dozen Somali pirates have now been convicted in U.S. courts, these three men are the first to potentially face the death penalty. Against the backdrop of the U.S. trial, a largely unknown and underreported humanitarian tragedy caused by the brutality of pirates is unfolding: Unlike the Americans killed by pirates after negotiations for their release failed, the crews of many smaller ships, known as dhows, operating in the Indian Ocean often end up as slaves, never to return to their homelands because their Indian, Pakistani or Iranian owners cannot afford to pay their ransom.