04 Oct 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- At least 65 dead in Mogadishu blast: ambulance service
- President Sharif visited different districts of Mogadishu
- Somali parliament still discusses nation’s territorial waters
- Ahlu Sunna says 20 al Shabaab fighters killed in central Somalia
- Seven arrested along Kenya-Somalia border
SOMALI MEDIA
65 killed after explosives-laden car went off in Mogadishu
04 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan, Radio Mogadishu, Risala – 115 words
Reports coming in now from Mogadishu indicate that the death toll has risen to 65 people, including students who were taking an examination for a Turkish government scholarship, according to the coordinator of Mogadishu ambulance service. Al Shabaab claimed the responsibility for the blast.
At least 50 people have been killed and scores injured after explosives-laden car went off in Mogadishu today.
Witnesses told Bar-Kulan that the blast took place near the busy KM4 junction when a car filled with explosives for a suicide attack went off before reaching its main target.The explosion destroyed vehicles passing nearby and there are fears that the death toll could rise. Al Shabaab militants have been blamed for similar attacks in the past.
Over 50 feared dead in Somalia suicide explosion
04 Oct – Source: Radio Shabelle, Kulmiye, Risala, and BBC – 144 words
A strong suicide explosion attack which has caused a lot of losses of lives and injuries occurred in Mogadishu today. Reports say a cargo truck locally known as “Waaraad” was used to carry out the suicide attack at the former national leather company which now houses several ministries of the TFG.
More than 50 are said to have been killed and more have been injured, some of them seriously, according to confirmation received from a TFG employee who was at the scene and who told radio Shabelle that he sustained slight injuries.
Government forces and AU peacekeepers have arrived at the scene and have disrupted the flow of vehicles and people between KM4 Junction and Zope. The militant group al Shabaab on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the bombing in the Somali capital Mogadishu, which killed dozens.
President Sharif visited different districts of Mogadishu
03 Oct – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SNTV – 188 words
The president of the Republic of Somalia Sharif Sh. Ahmed visited different districts of Mogadishu today in order to encourage the residents to continue the clean up process which began earlier this week. The president walked through Shangani and Hamar Weyne districts to thank local residents for their efforts in cleaning the streets, pavements and markets. The president received a warm welcome from the crowd with loud cheers and applause.
President Sharif expressed his gratitude to the people of Shangani and Hamar Weyne for answering the government’s calls for the residents of Mogadishu to take an active role in cleaning their city.
President Sharif also visited Sinai district to support a massive cleanup operation by the local residents as well as the local authority. The president walked from Gen. Daud road to Bar-Ayan to show his support an appreciation to the people of Sinai. Finally, the president visited historic buildings in Mogadishu, some of which have historical significance; H.E Sharif Sh. Ahmed was shown a mosque in Shangani which is about a thousand years old and more recent buildings built by the Italians.
Ahlu Sunna says 20 al Shabaab fighters killed in central Somalia
04 Oct – Source: Radio Shabelle – 90 words
The moderate Islamic group Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a has claimed victory in this morning’s fighting in Dhusa Mareeb, central Somalia. “We have defeated al Shabaab and we have killed more than 20 of their fighters. The bodies of their soldiers are littered all over the town of Dhusa Mareeb, and more than that number have been wounded”, said the secretary general of Information Department of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a Abdullahi Ahmad Samatar. Al Shabaab has also claimed to have sized military equipment belonging to Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a.
President Ahmed says security must be tightened
04 Oct – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 199 words
Somali president Sharif Ahmed has been encouraging the security agents and other crucial groups in the capital to work out the security trends in the capital. Speaking in a press conference today the Somali president Ahmed says security must be tightened in all parts of Mogadishu after insurgents lose their positions. Somali people are advised to support the ongoing efforts toward the restoring of peace and security. The president told the media that his government is working hard to step up the current ongoing efforts including the cleaning and security issues.
Ahlu Sunna retakes control in central Somalia town
03 Oct – Source: Shabelle – 98 words
Somalia’s moderate Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a has retaken the town of Dhusamareb in Galgudud region of central Somalia after heavy combats with al Shabaab. On Monday afternoon, al Shabaab has confiscated parts of the town after attacking there. Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamoud, Ahlu Sunna’s Deputy Executive Committee Chairman for administrative and social affairs told Shabelle Media Network they pushed back al Shabaab fighters and managed to retaken over the town. At least five people were killed and seven others injured in today’s battle, according to initial reports.
http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=11544
Somaliland: President in attendance at University of Hargeisa graduation
03 Oct – Source: Somaliland Press – 260 words
University of Hargeisa today had its 8th yearly commencement attended by the president of Somaliland Ahmed Mohamud Silanyo, Minister of Education Samsam Aden, several opposition leaders and business leaders. Today’s graduating class of 538 students from several schools were the most that the institution ever had graduating in a single year. Addressing the graduating class and the audience in attendance first was the Dean of University of Hargeisa Professor Muse Aden Ahmed. Professor Ahmed who thanked the graduating class as he said “today is a historic day for all of you as you become graduates from this high institution”. Professor Ahmed went on to say that the University of Hargeisa still needs donors that can help the university achieve its yearly endowment goal and therefore requested from both the government and public sector to donate to the institution.
http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-president-in-attendance-at-university-of-hargeisagraduation- 23997
Fifteen killed in rival Islamists fighting in central Somalia
04 Oct – Source: Radio Shabelle, Kulmiye and Risala – 128 words
The death toll has increased from yesterday’s fighting between moderate Islamic group Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a and al Shabaab in Dhusa Mareeb, Galgudud Region in central Somalia. Fifteen people are known to have been killed, most of them from injuries sustained in the fighting. Civilians have been killed in the fighting after mortars missed their target and landed on their homes, adds the source. Al Shabaab had previously seized part of Dhusa Mareeb town, but Ahlu Sunna wal Jama’a received reinforcement and removed al Shabaab from the town early this morning. The source says that many people have fled their homes as the fighting intensified and tension is reported to be high in the town this morning. Al Shabaab and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a both control portions of Galgudud Region.
Somali MPs to debate over size of Somali territorial waters
04 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan, Shabelle, Mareeg Online – 78 words
Somali MPs of the TFG are today expected to meet for the third day in the Golaha Sha’abka where they will debate over fate of the size of the Somali territorial waters as enshrined in the 19th December 2011 roadmap. According to the Somali water law of 1972, Somali territorial waters cover up to 200 miles. The law was incorporated to the international convention on the law of the sea of 1982 that became in full force in 1994.
Al Shabaab asks for $100 thousand from corporations
03 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-Kulan – 136 words
Al Shabaab militants have this morning allowed Dahabshiil, a prominent money transfer provider in Somalia and other closed companies to reopen their offices in the middle Jubba and Hiiraan regions, after the militants have called for their closure yesterday.
Some officials of the reopened corporations who spoke to Bar-kulan on conditions of anonymity said the militiamen have asked for $ 100 thousand as extortion money from them which al Shabaab demanded to be paid within a period of ten days.
Telcom Somalia and Nationlink that are both telecommunications companies operating in Somalia were out of network the whole of yesterday following the shutting down of their transmitters by al Shabaab militia. The militants have yesterday closed down Dahabshiil, Nationlink and Telcom Somalia offices in Afgoi, Jowhar, Baidoa, Kismayo and Beledweyn districts after the corporations refused to pay the money.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Seven arrested along Kenya-Somalia border
04 Oct – Source: Standard – 431 words
Seven men believed to be fleeing from Transitional Federal Government of Somalia soldiers have been arrested and more than 400 bullets, six rifles and 17 magazines recovered from them in Wajir County. They told authorities in Wajir they fled the ongoing fighting after their commander switched camp and supported al Shabaab fighters.
Security sources said the seven were arrested after they allegedly tried to hijack a bus at the weekend. “They had boarded a bus and were driving towards Wajir town when police were alerted. They are in custody undergoing interrogation,” said a senior security official who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.
The soldiers were found with 442 bullets and six AK 47 rifles when police stopped them on Sunday morning. Another official said they looked tired and seemed happy to be in Kenya. They were apparently fleeing the town of Dhobley where there have been clashes since Friday in which dozens of people are said to have been killed. Dhobley has been under the control of forces from the self-declared state of Azania, an anti-al Shabaab militia, also said to be loyal to the Somali transitional government.
Dhobley is five kilometers from the Kenyan border, where the UN refugee agency said about 1,200 Somalis are crossing into Kenya daily to go to the Dadaab refugee camp. The camp currently hosts 440,000 refugees.
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/news/InsidePage.php?id=2000044063&cid=159&story=Seven
US drone attack warfare plan for East Africa risky
02 Oct – Source: Eastern African – 400 words
In moving to expand its use of pilot less surveillance and attack aircraft in East Africa, the Obama administration has calculated that the potential military benefits of intensified drone warfare outweigh the political risks of such a strategy.
The Washington Post reported that the US is building bases for drones in Ethiopia and on the Arabian Peninsula while arming Somalia-focused drones launched from the Seychelles. The US is also continuing to fly drones from its long-established base in Djibouti. In addition, the Pentagon has supplied Ugandan and Burundian troops in Somalia with at least four hand-launched reconnaissance drones.
These moves reflect the Obama administration’s decision to escalate its war on militants in Somalia and Yemen who it identifies as terrorists. Increasing reliance on drones also enables the US to fight this war at a distance that will ensure its own forces do not sustain casualties that would cause political problems at home.
The US will likely be criticized in global forums on the grounds that it is undermining international human rights law by carrying out remote-control killings in countries with which it is not formally at war.
Philip Alston, an international law expert employed by the UN to investigate extra-judicial killings, warned earlier this year that because drones “make it easier to kill without risk to a state’s forces, policymakers and commanders will be tempted to interpret the legal limitations on who can be killed, and under what circumstances, too expansively.”
Alston further cited the “risk of developing a ‘PlayStation’ mentality to killing.” He noted that drones are controlled by technicians thousands of miles away who rely on computer programs and video feeds in carrying out push-button missile launches.
http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/US+drone+attack+warfare+plan+for+East+Africa+risky+/- /2558/1246484/-/7ppmrqz/-/
UPDF bags sh 600b from Somalia
02 Oct – Source: Sunday Vission News (Uganda) – 385 words
UPDF soldiers in AMISOM have benefited a great deal from the war in Somalia, professionally but mostly financially, Joshua Kato writes. As al Shabaab run for their lives in Somalia, Ugandan soldiers are doing well financially. One sergeant, for instance, has been able to complete two houses, one in Bombo and another in Mukono.
Before going to Somalia, he earned a monthly salary of sh320, 000. When he was taken to Somalia, he started earning $750 in 2007 and $1,080 (sh2.8m) currently per month from the African Union in addition to his salary back home.
“And if you want, you can save all of that money for development,” the sergeant says. Since 2007, about 12,000 Ugandan soldiers have been to Somalia in eight successive groups, operating under the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM). Official statistics are not available, but taking a conservative estimate of sh50,000 per soldier, Ugandans could have brought back a total of sh600b in salaries since 2007.
Many have invested it in money generating ventures. Others, like this sergeant constructed houses, but others have blown it up on booze. “We have told them to save with our SACCO – Wazalendo,” Lt-General Katumba Wamala told Parliament last year.
During this period, AMISOM forces protected the transitional government in Somalia, flushed al Shabaab out of Mogadishu and provided medical as well as food supplies to the civilian population. Uganda forms the bulk of AMISOM. Burundi is the only other country that has sent troops to Somalia.
Four years later, at least 12,000 Ugandan soldiers have received training and experience in urban warfare, which they lacked before. “The experience in fighting in built up areas has been amazing. We have been largely fighting in open and bush areas, but the experience we have gained here, fighting in built up areas is good. It also shows that we can adapt to different situations,” Brigadier Paul Lokech, the current Ugandan contingent commander, said.
Before going to Somalia, UPDF soldiers go to Singo Military Training School, in conditions that are simulated to look like Mogadishu. In Mogadishu, they receive further training from American groups like Bancroft and Dynacorp. In a media interview, Bancroft director, Michael Stock, pointed out that with this added training, AMISOM forces had become a ‘truly’ impressive fighting force.
With new skills from Somalia, the army has been able to set up more specialized units, including a ‘snipers unit’. “For the first time, the army has got snipers who can effectively operate in urban areas,” an AMISOM officer said.
The Somalia mission has given a number of officer’s opportunities for promotion. For example, Major General Levi Karuhanga, who commanded the first group in Somalia, was promoted to major general shortly before deployment. Major General Francis Okello, who replaced him, was promoted to Major General before leaving Kampala.
http://www.sundayvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=7&newsCategoryId=134&new sId=766516
Kenyan Navy men missing after kidnap chase
03 Oct – Source: Al Shahid – 196 words
Two members of Kenya’s navy were missing after their boat capsized while chasing suspected militia who had kidnapped a disabled Frenchwoman from a Kenyan resort, an official said on Sunday. The missing officers were part of a group that engaged the militia in a gunfight before their small boat capsized.
Lamu West district commissioner Stephen Ikua termed the incident an accident. “There was a mishap during the operation and we are told some of our officers in an ordinary fishing boat (not navy gunboat) had to be rescued after capsizing.
“I am on my way to Kiunga to confirm the situation and that is when I will be able to tell you their exact situation,” he said. Ms Marie Dedieu was abducted from her cottage on Manda Island opposite the up market town of Shella in the Lamu archipelago.
This was the second abduction in less than a month. Last month, a suspected al Shabaab militia group attacked a British couple on holiday in Kiwayu, a few kilometers north of Lamu. The latest kidnapping prompted France and Britain to issue new travel advice, warning travelers to avoid not only Somalia but the nearby Kenyan coastline as well.
http://english.alshahid.net/archives/23396
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Blast in Somali capital kills at least 65: ambulance worker
04 Oct- Source: Reuters – 193 words
A truck bomb killed at least 65 people at government buildings in the heart of Somalia’s capital on Tuesday, an ambulance worker said, and al Shabaab insurgents claimed responsibility for the attack. Witnesses said there was a loud blast at a compound housing four government ministries in the K4 (Kilometer 4) area of the capital Mogadishu, where students had gathered on Tuesday to take exams.
“We have carried 65 dead bodies and 50 injured people,” ambulance coordinator Ali Muse told Reuters. “Some are still lying there. Most of the people have burns.” A Reuter’s reporter said he had seen nine bodies at the compound, which is in an area of the capital under the control of government forces and African Union peacekeeping troops.
He said scores of people with burns were walking to a nearby hospital and police were trying to evacuate more students trapped inside the damaged buildings.
Al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab rebels had threatened to carry out attacks on government installations after pulling most of their fighters out of Mogadishu in early August. “Al Shabaab carried out that attack,” a spokesman for the insurgents told Reuters. “Our target was the ministries.”
http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL5E7L417A20111004
Rescue official: Car bomb in Somalia kills 55
04 Oct – Source: AP – 97 words
A rescue official says at least 55 people were killed after a car laden with explosives blew up in front of the Ministry of Education in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Ali Muse, the chief of Mogadishu’s ambulance service, said Tuesday that 30 others were injured in the blast.
Ali Hussein, a police officer in Mogadishu said that the vehicle stopped after pulling up to a check point at the entrance of the ministry building and then blew up. The al-Qaeda linked militant group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in a website used by the group.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gLgd6JFEQGL3BL37n1Ba1SUAfdVA?d ocId=429b67a3ae0047c98c050d2905e9bfbb
Woman in Somali militant funding trial held in contempt
03 Oct – Source: Reuters – 423 words
One of two Minnesota women facing charges of raising money for the al Qaeda-affiliated Somali group al-Shabaab was cited for criminal contempt on Monday after refusing to stand as a federal judge entered the courtroom.
Amina Farah Ali, who became a U.S. citizen in 2004 and lived in Rochester, Minnesota, cited religious grounds for refusing to stand when Chief Judge Michael Davis entered the courtroom for the start of jury selection in her trial.
In all, Davis counted 10 instances of contempt after Ali refused to stand as court was called to order or recessed, and sentenced her to serve five days for each, consecutively, after the trial concludes.
Ali and Hawo Mohamed Hassan, who became a U.S. citizen in 2008, both face multiple federal charges over accusations of raising more than $8,600 for al-Shabaab rebels from September 2008 to July 2009.
The United States designated al-Shabaab, which has been waging a four-year insurgency against Somalia’s Western-backed government troops and African Union peacekeepers, a terrorist group in February 2008.
Ali and Hassan were accused of communicating with al-Shabaab individuals in Somalia and in turn going door-to-door in Somali communities in Rochester, Minneapolis and elsewhere to raise money and holding teleconferences to solicit support.
Some 18 people have been charged in Minnesota in an investigation into efforts to recruit Americans to train or fight in Somalia. At least two Minnesota men are thought to have died in Somalia fighting for al-Shabaab.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/04/us-minnesota-alshabaab-idUSTRE79305S20111004