29 Dec 2011 – Morning headlines
Key Headlines:
- Somalia: taking back schools from Islamic militants (Source: The Guardian)
- Turkey launches efforts to drill well in Somalia (Source: Today Zaman News)
- Al Shabaab accused of child conscription (Source: Radio Bar-kulan)
- Former TFG minister in Galkayo for mediation talks (Source: Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somali premier pays visits to main centers in Bosaso city (Source: Mareeg Online)
- Galmudug state conducts anti-piracy operations jails pirates (Source: Radio Shabelle)
- Second Indian hostage dies in custody (Source: Somalia Report)
- Troubled Ethiopia-Somalia history haunts Horn of Africa (Source: Reuters)
SOMALI MEDIA
Al Shabaab accused of child conscription
28 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 117 words
Ahlu Sunna group is accusing al Shabaab of stepping up a child soldier recruitment campaign in the areas under its control and called for immediate actions. The pro-government group claims that al Shabaab is recruiting underage children to counter allied forces battling the outlawed group in parts of the country. ASWJ’s executive committee deputy chairman, Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamud claimed that al Shabaab took advantage of the recent drought and hunger in the country to recruit children into its militias by giving food and other handouts to their parents.
Somaliland Military forces foil plotted terrorist attacks
28 Dec- Source: Radio Hargeisa, Hadhwanaag Times, Radio Bar-kulan- 100 words
The commander of Somaliland military forces Mohamed Abdi Ali on Wednesday revealed that they foiled a plotted terrorist attacks against Somaliland after Somaliland soldiers intercepted and displayed explosives and arms in an operation in Hargeisa. The explosive devices were buried near the house of Somaliland’s vice-president, according to the commander who spoke in Hargeisa city.
Former TFG minister in Galkayo for mediation talks
28 Dec- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 195 words
A group of mediators from Mogadishu including the former TFG minister for Minerals and Water, Abdi Hassan Awale Qeybdid has arrived in Galkayo in efforts to end the current political impasse that almost paralysed the activities of Galmudug regional state. The group which includes prominent businessmen, elders and politicians who have roots in the region are holding separate meetings with area officials in order to end the looming rankles within the region’s leadership.
Galmudug state conducts anti-piracy operations, jails pirates
28 Dec- Source: Shabelle- 137 words
The state of Galmudug in central Somalia on Wednesday announced that it has apprehended a number of Somali pirates in an anti- piracy operation conducted over the past 24-hours by its troops in southern Galka’yo town of Mudug region. Reports indicate that hundreds of security forces loyal to Galmudug state in central Somalia conducted on Wednesday massive anti-piracy crackdown in parts of Galka’yo town, arresting an undisclosed number of Somali pirates.
http://shabelle.net/article.
Somali premier pays visits to main centers in Bosaso city
28 Dec- Source: Mareeg Online- 139 words
Somali prime minister, Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, together with Puntland president, Farole and other delegates on Wednesday paid visits to recently burned market, general hospital, seaport and military in Bosaso city, reporters said. Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, the TFG’s PM accompanied by his ministers of Defense, Hussein Arab Ise, Business and Industrial Affairs, Abdiwahab Ugas Bile as well as the Puntland president visited the biggest market in Bosaso city, which has completely burnt down, reports said.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Second Indian hostage dies in custody
28 Dec- Source: Somalia Report- 104 words
A second Indian hostage has died while in the custody of pirates in Harardheere, according to sources amongst the pirates. The deceased hostage was from amongst seven crew members from Panamian-flagged MV Asphalt Venture which pirates released April 28th; now only five are alive, according to pirates. “He was in serious condition over the last month and he died this week” one of the pirates told Somalia Report.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somali Islamists wage “propaganda war” online in face of Kenyan army attacks
28 Dec- Source: the Standard- 812 words
In the ongoing Operation Linda Nchi in Somalia, the Kenya Defence Forces and the militant group al Shabaab are battling to spread propaganda to win both the war and international support. Kenya’s Maj Emmanuel Chirchir has been leading the war in Somalia on social media and al Shabaab has not been left behind.
http://m.standardmedia.co.ke/
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia: taking back schools from Islamic militants
28 Dec- Source: the Guardian- 836 words
Schools are beginning to reopen slowly in areas of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, that were until recently controlled by al Shabaab. But an estimated 80% of students have not yet returned. The government is also moving to create a unified syllabus for all schools. Al Shabaab controlled schools had been running a separate Islamic curriculum.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
Turkey launches efforts to drill well in Somalia
28 Dec – Source: Todays Zaman News – 158 words
Turkey’s State Waterworks Authority (DSI) began the drilling of a well in Somalia on Wednesday. The seven-member DSI team, headed by geologist Musa Yilmaz, started to drill a well near a Turkish Red Crescent tent site in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. DSI experts said they would drill up to 100 meters below the surface to reach potable water, adding that they expect to complete the project within a week.
http://www.todayszaman.com/
Somalis fear end of US remittances will empower militants
28 Dec – Source: VOA News – 778 words
At the end of this week, citizens of Somalia will lose one of their biggest sources of money. That is when a U.S. bank cuts off cash transfers to the war-torn and famine-stricken country. Somalis in Nairobi say the move – intended to stop funding for Somali militants – will hurt ordinary people instead.
Troubled Ethiopia-Somalia history haunts Horn of Africa
28 Dec- Source: Reuters- 270 words
Five hundred years ago, an Imam who ruled much of what is now Somalia, led a daring invasion of Christian Ethiopia, looting monasteries, burning down churches and slaying all who resisted. Centuries on, memories of Imam Ahmad Gragn still haunt both countries, and echoes of that long and bloody history still ripple across the Horn of Africa region which considers Somalia the greatest threat to its stability.
http://af.reuters.com/article/
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
Somalia, libertarian paradise
28 Dec- Hullabaloo Blog- 338 Words
Somalia has been steadily worn down by decades of conflict and chaos, its cities in ruins and its people starving. Just this year, tens of thousands have died from famine, with countless others cut down in relentless combat. Now Somalis face yet another widespread terror: an alarming increase in rapes and sexual abuse of women and girls.
http://digbysblog.blogspot.