July 27, 2016 | Morning Headlines
Ex-Somali MP Behind Mogadishu UN And Airport Suicide Attack
26 July – Source: Radio Dalsan – 113 Words
A former member of Somali Federal Parliament has been named as one of the architects of the suicide attack that killed several people near Mogadishu international airport on Tuesday.
Salah Badbado, who served as an MP in the transitional government from 2000 to 2004, represented his constituents in Sanag region before defecting to the armed group Al-Shabaab in 2010.
Pro Al-Shabaab media have confirmed that the ex-member of Somali parliament drove one of the cars full of explosives devices that targeted the entrance to the United Nations and airport compound. Several people were killed in the Tuesday morning attack that brought operations at main international airport in Somali capital at standstill for hours.
Key Headlines
- Ex-Somali MP Behind Mogadishu UN And Airport Suicide Attack (Radio Dalsan)
- UN AU Condemn Twin Suicide Bomb Attacks In Mogadishu (Goobjoog News)
- Puntland Lifts Inter-Regional State Tournament Trophy (Radio Dalsan)
- Twin Blasts Near Mogadishu Airport Affect International Flights (Radio Dalsan)
- US Committed to Helping Somalia Defeat Al-Shabaab Amid Airport Attack (Sputnik International)
- UN Agency Appeals For Added Funds For Return Of Somali Refugees From Dadaab Camp (UN News Centre)
- KDF Soldiers Injured After IED Blows Military Tank In Lamu (The Star)
- Ottawa Police Union President Calls Racism Speculation In Fatal Arrest ‘Inappropriate’ (CBC News)
PRESS STATEMENT
AMISOM Condemns Terror Attack in Mogadishu
26 July – Source: AMISOM – 134 Words
The African Union Mission in Somalia strongly condemns the terrorist attack that occurred this morning near the Mogadishu International Airport (MIA).
At around 0900hrs, two (2) Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) detonated close to the MIA causing a number of fatalities and injuries. The AU Special Representative for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira hailed the swift response by Somali security forces and AMISOM, who prevented the vehicles from proceeding further and thereby thwarted the attack.
The AU Special Representative commiserates with the families of innocent civilians who lost their lives and wishes quick recovery to those who sustained injuries: “Al-Shabaab is desperately seeking relevance and will do anything to keep in the news headlines. AMISOM will continue to work with the Somali security institutions to forestall Al-Shabaab acts of terror,” Ambassador Madeira said.
NATIONAL MEDIA
UN, AU Condemn Twin Suicide Bomb Attacks In Mogadishu
26 July – Source: Goobjoog News – 315 Words
United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on Tuesday condemned twin suicide car bomb attacks in the vicinity of Mogadishu International Airport that killed at least 13 people and injured 17 others.
In separate statements, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia Michael Keating said the horrific incident was a fresh example of the extremists’ desperate attempts to disrupt political progress.
“Al-Shabaab have once again carried out a ruthless attack that has claimed the lives of at least a dozen Somalis,” Keating said in a statement issued in Mogadishu. Suicide bombers detonated two vehicles laden with explosives near the perimeter of the airport enclave at around 9 a.m. local time. Keating confirmed that no United Nations personnel are among the confirmed dead.
He said the overwhelming majority of Somalis had rejected such terrorist tactics and the use of violence to achieve political objectives: “Neither the Somali authorities nor the United Nations will be deterred from moving forward,” he said. The Horn of Africa nation is due to hold elections later this year.
The entrance targeted in the bombing is regularly used by employees who work at the airport. Residents in the area also reported hearing two massive simultaneous explosions. Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Francisco Madeira also condemned the “senseless attacks” that he said aim to disrupt and cripple the lives of ordinary Somalis.
“These attacks must be stopped. AMISOM confirms that there have been two bomb explosions at checkpoints near entrances to its base at Halane this morning,” Madeiera said, noting that investigations were underway on the number of casualties and damage.
A suicide bomber rammed a car packed with explosives through a Somali security checkpoint and then detonated the explosives causing casualties. Seconds later another car arrived and this time the suicide bomber detonated the car close to security forces and nearby African Union forces.
Puntland Lifts Inter-Regional State Tournament Trophy
26 July – Source: Radio Dalsan – 192 Words
A football team representing Puntland regional state of Somalia has won inter-regional state soccer tournament. Puntland captain was presented with the trophy by the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia after the final whistle in Mogadishu’s Konis stadium.
They won in a penalty shootout against Jubbaland regional state team after the normal 90-minutes playtime plus the 30 minutes extra time ended 1-1 draw. Senior government officials including the Prime Minister, Minister for Sports, Members of Parliament and officials from the two regional states were present during the crucial match.
Diplomats led by Turkish ambassador were also present at the stadium. The security was heightened across the city and the soccer stadium following Al-Shabaab twin suicide car bomb that targeted the UN compound near Mogadishu International Airport. More 20 people are believed to have been killed. Ministry of Youth and Sports, which organized the tournament, said it was meant to boost interaction among the young population in order to foster peace and reconciliation.
Twin Blasts Near Mogadishu Airport Affect International Flights
26 July – Source: Radio Dalsan – 182 Words
Twin car bomb attack that targeted the UN compound near Mogadishu International Airport on Tuesday affected flights and passengers’ travel plans.
Passengers waiting to board Turkish airlines were left stranded after the airline which was ready for boarding took off without any passengers. Other passengers who had just landed from Nairobi and local Somali cities were also left stranded upon landing just when the attack had happened.
There was no official communication from Turkish airlines to the passengers but the decision by the airline pilots to take off seemed to be a safety order from the airline headquarters in Istanbul. The Turkish airlines, the only European carrier that operates in Somalia had suspended its flight in February this year after suicide attack on Somali airliner of Dallo, in which only the attacker died in the mid air explosion. It later resumed the services after security measures were taken.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
US Committed to Helping Somalia Defeat Al-Shabaab Amid Airport Attack
26 July – Source: Sputnik International – 270 Words
Washington has expressed readiness to help Somalia wrestle down terror groups such as al-Shabaab. On Tuesday, Al-Shabaab militants detonated two vehicles in Mogadishu killing at least a dozen people.
The United States is determined to supporting Somalia in the country’s fight against terror groups including against the Islamic militant group al-Shabaab, US National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The United States stands squarely with Somalia and our partners in the fight against despicable acts of terrorism that seek to destabilize Somalia,” Price stated. “We remain committed to helping Somalia progress along a path towards peace and prosperity and the defeat of terrorist groups, including Al-Shabaab.”
Earlier in the day, at least a dozen people were killed when two vehicles exploded on the way to a base for African Union peacekeepers near Mogadishu International Airport. According to media reports, al-Shabaab was behind the explosions.
“The United States condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack at the Mogadishu International Airport in Somalia on July 26,” Price added. “Our condolences go out to the United Nations personnel, African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) soldiers, Somali citizens, and friends and families of all those who were killed and injured in this cowardly attack.”
UN Agency Appeals For Added Funds For Return Of Somali Refugees From Dadaab Camp
26 July – Source: UN News Centre – 490 Words
The United Nations refugee agency today appealed to donors for an additional $115.4 million to fund the voluntary return and reintegration of Somali refugees from Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp.
In a press release, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that funding is also required for the relocation of refugees from Dadaab to Kakuma refugee camp, as well as related projects and infrastructure in Kenya and Somalia.
“UNHCR is committed to ensuring that all returns to Somalia are voluntary and carried out in dignity, safety and with the protection of refugees paramount at all times,” said Valentin Tapsoba, Director of UNHCR’s Africa Bureau.
“In order to do this, we are requesting the international donor community to support this additional appeal so that returning Somalis can go back to their home country with the best possible opportunities to re-establish themselves and their families in peace and stability,” he added.
UNHCR said it had previously appealed for $369.4 million for the “Somalia situation.” With this additional request, and with some reprioritization of projects, UNHCR’s total revised 2016 requirements for the response in the affected countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia is now $484.8 million.
Following the Government of Kenya’s announcement on 6 May of its decision to close Dadaab camp, UNHCR presented a plan of action at the meeting of the Tripartite Commission – consisting of Kenya, Somalia and UNHCR – which took place in Nairobi at the end of June. The plan outlines a process intended to reduce the population of Dadaab camp – currently 343,043, including 326,611 Somalis – by 150,000 by the end of 2016.
UNHCR noted that the additional $115 million requested will go towards a number of activities, including relocation of 16,000 non-Somali refugees from Dadaab to Kakuma; relocation of 15,000 Somali refugees currently in the resettlement process to Kakuma; relocation and reintegration of an estimated 42,000 Kenyans believed to be registered as refugees; verification of the Dadaab population and a comprehensive Return Intention Survey; and support for an additional 50,000 voluntary Somali refugee returns from Dadaab to Somalia.
KDF Soldiers Injured After IED Blows Military Tank In Lamu
26 July – Source: The Star – 278 Words
More than five KDF soldiers are nursing injuries after their tank ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) at Ishakani area in Kiunga division, Lamu East on Tuesday morning.
The soldiers, who are said to have been clearing bushes at a site where the security perimeter wall is being put up on the Lamu-Somali border, escaped death by a whisker in the 9am incident. Their carrier unknowingly ran over the IED, suspected to have been planted by Al-Shabaab militants – who have been terrorising the region for the past two years.
A police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the damage done to the tanker was however irreparable: “The soldiers were in the tanker clearing bushes at the Ishakani site when the tank went over the IED which exploded. All the soldiers came out alive. They just sustained some injuries, nothing serious.The tanker was badly damaged such that you cannot even identify it again for those who saw it before,” the officer said.
When contacted, Lamu county commissioner Joseph Kanyiri said he was not aware of the incident but promised to investigate and provide more information. The militants seem to have changed their tact from targeting civilians – especially travelers – to military and police vehicles. The use of IED is becoming more common in the latest attacks.
About 10 days ago on July 14, an Al-Shabaab militant was gunned down after a gang of over 20 militants tried to force entry into an Rapid Deployment Unit-RDU camp in Basuba, Lamu East. On July 10, more than 10 GSU officers survived after suspected Al-Shabaab militants blew their carrier at Baure area of Lamu East, using IED.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“Amran Ali, a volunteer with the Canadian Somali Mothers Association, said in an interview with CBC News Ottawa TV anchor Adrian Harewood on Monday that she thought the Police boss’ words were “very insensitive of him.”
Ottawa Police Union President Calls Racism Speculation In Fatal Arrest ‘Inappropriate’
26 July – Source: CBC News – 1,098 Words
As an investigation continues into the death of a Somali-Canadian man arrested by police on Sunday, the head of the union representing Ottawa police says suggestions racism could have played a role are “inappropriate.”
Matt Skof, president of the Ottawa Police Association, made the comments to Alan Neal, host of CBC Radio’s All In a Day, on Monday afternoon, after Abdirahman Abdi was pronounced dead in hospital. Abdi, 37, had been on life-support following his arrest in the Hintonburg neighbourhood on Sunday morning. Police had been called to a coffee shop for reports of a man groping people, and investigators say a “confrontation” began after police located the suspect.
Abdi had been walking on Somerset Street West carrying a foam block used to hold signs at construction sites over his head, and was being pursued by an officer with a baton to Abdi’s apartment building at 55 Hilda St., witness Ross McGhie told CBC News.
Abdi had dropped the foam block and had been hit with the baton several times by the officer, who was shouting at Abdi to comply with arrest orders, when another officer arrived and “immediately” began beating Abdi about the head and face, McGhie said. Abdi lost consciousness and vital signs at some point during the arrest and was later taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead the following day.
Ontario’s police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, is handling the case. An autopsy on Abdi was expected to take place Tuesday. The National Council of Canadian Muslims, Ottawa Coun. Jeff Leiper and others have called for a thorough investigation, saying the incident raises serious questions.
Any suggestions racism could have played a role in Sunday’s events are “inappropriate,” Skof said Monday, adding it’s “unfortunate” that conversations around the deaths of black men by police in the United States are entering Canada.
“I’m worried that the conversation is even occurring, to be quite candid,” Skof said: “To suggest that race was an issue in this, it’s inappropriate. The officers were called to the scene. The officers had to attend. Race, in this case, is a fact, just like your age, your gender, your height. It doesn’t have anything to do with our … decision-making. Our decision-making is based on our training, and our training has nothing to do with race.