Jets kill ‘at least’ 9 in Somalia

17 Jan – Source: AP – 150 words

A witness says at least nine people were killed after jets bombed a militant camp in southern Somalia. Witness Noh Haji said Tuesday the jets pounded bunkers and burned tents belonging to Somalia’s al Qaida-linked al Shabaab militia.

He says he saw at least nine bodies being carried out by al Shabaab fighters after the raid on the town of Afmadow late on Monday. The raid in Afmadow came a day after residents said jets killed five children and two fighters in Jilib, another southern Somali town.

A Kenyan military spokesman confirmed the Jilib raid but only said it killed militants. He was not available for comment on the Afmadow raid. Kenyan troops entered Somalia in October amid fears that Somalia’s 21-year-old civil war was spilling over the border.

Key Headlines

• Kenyan airstrikes hit al Shabaab bases in Afmadow (Radio Mogadishu)
• Somaliland releases 22 journalists (Raxanreeb)
• Iranian aid distributed to locals in southern Galkayo (Radio Bar-Kulan)
• The African Union deeply concerned by ongoing crisis in Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia(Star Africa)
• Turkish doctors are giving practical training to their Somali colleagues (World Bulletin)
• The risks of being a journalist in Somalia (BBC)

SOMALI MEDIA

Kenyan airstrikes hit al Shabaab bases in Afmadow

17 Jan – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 106 words

Kenyan Air Force has hit al Shabaab bases in the Lower Juba regions damaging key al Shabaab bases in the ongoing anti-al Shabaab operation in South Somalia. Radio Mogadishu confirms that al Shabaab bases were hit in Afmadow and Tartar towns, with two battle wagons full of al Shabaab fighters damaged as a result.

Dozens of extremist fighters were seriously wounded and rushed to hospitals in Kismayo, the commercial port town and a major source of revenue for the militant group. Aerial strikes in south Somalia have left the al Shabaab puzzled with nowhere to run in fear of being struck by Kenyan forces who have been battling the militant forces since October 2011.

TFG, al Shabaab clash in central Somalia town

17 Jan – Source: Shabelle – 181 words

Battle broke out overnight in Beledweyne town between al Shabaab fighters and TFG soldiers allied with Ethiopian Military, reports said on Tuesday.Residents reported that the fighting came after the armed group of al Shabaab militants attacked bases of Somali transitional government troops and Ethiopian military near the Bridge of Liq-liqato in Beledweyne town of Hiiraan Region in central Somalia.

The fighting has been going on for hours between the two sides, with gunfire and other heavy weapons could be heard across the town. Even tough the battle reportedly caused casualties, details are scarce at the moment, although locals say that the there casualties on both sides and among civilians.

Somaliland releases 22 journalists

17 Jan – Source: Raxanreeb – 171 words

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) welcomes the release of the 22 journalists who were detained by the Somaliland authorities in a systematic media crack down campaign that continues in its second week and appeals for the release of the three remaining journalists still held without charges, allowing the Horn Cable television to resume its operations.

The Somaliland authorities released 21 journalists on Monday 16 January, 2012. The journalists were arrested on Sunday January 15, 2012 by Somaliland police, some of whom severely beaten during a protest at the presidential palace where the journalists were demanding from Somaliland authorities to stop its attacks against the journalists and the media station.

Al Shabaab: “Kenya and Ethiopia failed in Somalia”

17 Jan – Source: Radio Kulmiye, Shabelle – 198 words

Al Shabaab on Tuesday announced that the invasion of Ethiopia and Kenya in Somalia has failed, pointing out that some of al Shabaab militants are in Kenya for attacks. The spokesman of the armed group of al Shabaab militants Ali Mohamoud Raghe (Ali Dhere) said at a press conference that Kenyan troops have been in Somalia for 90 days and that they failed to move forward, adding that their air strikes on the civilians in southern regions of Somalia is a symbol of their failure.

The spokesman said that some of al Shabaab fighters entered about 60 KM deep into the Kenyan territory and claimed that they are carrying out killings, explosions and abductions. He also talked about the seizure of Beledweyn by the Ethiopian Military, say that Ethiopia and westerners failed to move on in their bid to root out the insurgent group.

Innovation Democracy visits Somaliland

16 Jan – Source: Somaliland Press – 308 words

A delegation from California-based Innovation Democracy arrived in Somaliland Yesterday to attend a locally organized leadership conference in the capital. The team from the not-for-profit organization consisted of Liisa Välikangas, President of Innovation Democracy Inc. and an attorney by the name of Jaak Treiman, General Counsel of Innovation Democracy.

The delegates were greeted at Berbera airport by the head of the Institute of Strategic and Initiatives (ISI) Mr. Abdikarim Osman Jama, who is also the chairman of the ICT commission in Somaliland.

Mr. Abdikarim briefed the press in the VIP room of Berbera airport about the delegates’ visit to Somaliland by saying: “today we are receiving at Berbera airport Prof. Liisa Valikanges who is the head of International Institute of Innovation Democracy and teaches at AAITO University located in Helsinki, Finland capital. She is accompanied by Mr. Jaak Treiman who is general counsel at Innovation Democracy.

Iranian aid distributed to locals in southern Galkayo

17 Jan – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 212 words

A humanitarian aid from the Iranian government has been distributed to internally displaced families living in southern Galkayo, Mudug region. The aid comprising of Flour, Rice, Sugar, Milk and cooking oil had been donated by the Iranian government for the needy families in the region.Galmudug’s regional governor, Aweys Ali Saeed told Bar-kulan that the aid was the first of a series of humanitarian relief packages they intend to distribute in the area. He thanked the Iranian government for supporting the drought-stricken Somalia population.

Galkayo is one of the cities in Somalia hosting the largest number of refugees since the beginning of the drought and famine crisis in Somalia.The Islamic Republic of Iran was among the first countries which rushed to the aid of the Somali people after local and international media outlets reported the urgent situation in the Horn of African nation. In October, Iran shipped its largest cargo of humanitarian aid weighing about 5000 tons to Somalia. The cargo contained medicine, Rice, Flour, Cereal, Sugar, and some other goods.

REGIONAL MEDIA

The African Union deeply concerned by ongoing crisis in Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia

16 Jan – Source: Star Africa – 401 words

The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Jean Ping, expresses deep concern over the lingering dispute in the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP) of Somalia.

In the past weeks, the TFP has been embroiled in a paralysis and, on one occasion, a brawl, as a result of the removal of the Speaker of the TFP, Honourable Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden.

The Chairperson of the Commission regrets the inability of some members of the TFP to demonstrate the required maturity and rise to the challenges facing their country. In particular, he notes that the election of a new Speaker, in violation of the Kampala Accord of June 2011 and the Mogadishu Political Roadmap of September 2011, can only complicate the ongoing efforts to move forward the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia, at a time when the AU and IGAD are taking further steps to strengthen AMISOM and consolidate the gains made on the ground against the al Shabaab terrorist group.

The Chairperson of the Commission fully associates himself with the press release issued by the IGAD Council of Ministers on 9 January 2012, in support of the decision made by the National Security Committee of Somalia on the situation.

The Chairperson of t he Commission appeals to the members of the TFP, in line with the call by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) at its 306th meeting held on 5 January 2012, to immediately resolve the ongoing dispute, with due respect for the provisions of the Kampala Accord and other relevant instruments. He reiterates the determination of the AU to take all necessary measures against any individuals engaged in actions aimed at Undermining the peace and re conciliation process in Somalia, as well as the efforts of AMISOM .

KDF Somalia raid death toll rises to seven

16 Jan – Source: Daily Nation – 297 words

The death toll has risen to seven after Kenya’s fighter jets on Sunday bombed a village in southern Somalia controlled by the Islamist al Shabaab group, local residents reported.

The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) raided a base of al Shabaab near the southern town of Jilib, hitting a residence close to the rebel base and killing five children and two militant fighters, witnesses said.
The toll was previously put at five.

“We heard huge bang and when we got to the scene we saw he blooded bodies of the three dead children and two severely wounded kids who later died.Kenya Military Spokesperson Major Emmanuel Chirchir confirmed in a statement on Monday afternoon that Kenya Airforce jets had “bombed an al Shabaab Command Centre in Jilib, Middle Juba on Sunday destroying the facility and injuring multiple al Shabaab militants.”

The statement added: “On the same day, the jets bombed al Shabaab defensive positions at Bibi South of Afmadhow destroying eight vehicles among them four technicals. Several al Shabaab fighters are likely to have died. Battle damage assessment to follow.”

Kenya jets had on previous occasions carried out attacks on Islamist bases in southern Somalia.
Witnesses said two of the fighters at the targeted base died and that “some other fighters” were wounded in the attack which they said were carried out by jets.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Jets kill ‘at least’ 9 in Somalia

17 Jan – Source: AP – 150 words

A witness says at least nine people were killed after jets bombed a militant camp in southern Somalia. Witness Noh Haji said Tuesday the jets pounded bunkers and burned tents belonging to Somalia’s al Qaida-linked al Shabaab militia.

He says he saw at least nine bodies being carried out by al Shabaab fighters after the raid on the town of Afmadow late on Monday. The raid in Afmadow came a day after residents said jets killed five children and two fighters in Jilib, another southern Somali town.

A Kenyan military spokesman confirmed the Jilib raid but only said it killed militants. He was not available for comment on the Afmadow raid. Kenyan troops entered Somalia in October amid fears that Somalia’s 21-year-old civil war was spilling over the border.

Turkish doctors are giving practical training to their Somali colleagues

16 Jan – Source: World Bulletin – 100 words

Aegean International Health Federation (ESAFED) member six Turkish doctors are training Somali doctors who received medical education in Sudan but did not practice.

ESAFED Somalia Coordinator Isa Sonmez told the media on Monday that federation’s member doctors had been contributing in health services in Somalia for the past four months at a health center established by Turkish Kimse Yok Mu aid association.

Sonmez said that Somali doctors were helping Turkish doctors and improving their practices in the health center. Sonmez added that they would also train 30 obstetricians and nurses as well as ten doctors in Turkey for six months.

The risks of being a journalist in Somalia

16 Jan – Source: BBC – 1.43 min

Somalia is one of the riskiest countries in the world to be a journalist. Twenty three have been killed in the country since 2007, according to Reporters Without Borders. Many media institutions have also been also targeted. What makes it so hard for media personnel to carry out their work?

Horn Petroleum begins drilling of Dharoor block well in Somalia

17 Jan – Source: Energy Business Review – 149 Words

Canada-based Horn Petroleum Corp has begun drilling of the Shabeel-1 well on the Dharoor block in Puntland, Somalia. The company is now preparing to drill ahead to a total planned maximum depth of 3,800m using the Sakson 501 rig.

Horn Petroleum has also commenced drilling operations on the Shabeel North-1 well with the setting of the 30 inch surface casing and the drilling of a 50m pilot hole.

The Shabeel and Shabeel North prospects are located on a Jurassic aged rift system which is part of the same system that has proven to be highly productive in the Masila and Shabwa basins in Yemen. The company holds a 60% interest and operatorship in the Dharoor and Nugaal blocks.

Horn Petroleum president and CEO David Grellman said the commencement of drilling in the Dharoor Valley block is a major milestone in the evaluation of the oil potential of northern Somalia.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

Somalia: the real causes of famine

16 Jan – Source: The 4th Media – 809 Words

For the last twenty years, Somalia has been entangled in a “civil war” amidst the destruction of both its rural and urban economies.

The country is now facing widespread famine.  According to reports, tens of thousands of people have died from malnutrition in the last few months. The lives of several million people are threatened. The mainstream media casually attributes the famine to a severe drought without examining the broader causes.

An atmosphere of “lawlessness, gang warfare and anarchy” is also upheld as one of the major causes behind the famine. But who is behind the lawlessness and armed gangs? Somalia is categorized as a “failed state”, a country without a government.

Dutch khat ban smacks of racism

16 Jan – Source: Gadling Huffington Post Blog – 364 Words

The Dutch government recently announced that it will ban the use of khat, a narcotic leaf widely chewed in the Horn of Africa and Yemen.

I’ve written about khat before. I’ve spent four months in Ethiopia, especially Harar, a city in the eastern part of the country where chewing khat (pronounced “chat” in the local languages) is part of many people’s daily lives. It’s a mild drug that makes most people more relaxed, mildly euphoric, and talkative. It also helps concentration and is popular among university students.

Of course there are side effects. Short-term effects include sleeplessness, constipation, and for some people a listlessness that keeps them from achieving their potential. Long-term use can lead to mental instability and heart trouble. I met one western researcher in Harar who had been there two years. He’d stopped using khat after the first few months because he was afraid of the long-term effects. If I lived in Harar that long I’d stop chewing khat for that very reason.

So the Dutch government seems to have a good reason to ban khat. Or does it? This is a country where marijuana, hash, herbal ecstasy, and psychedelic truffles are all legal. And if we’re talking about long-term health effects, we need to throw in alcohol and tobacco too.

So what’s different about khat? It’s almost exclusively used by the Dutch Somali community, numbering about 25,000 people. According to the BBC, “a Dutch government report cited noise, litter and the perceived public threat posed by men who chew khat as some of the reasons for outlawing the drug.”

The Death of Somalia and birth of fragmentation and the age of clannism takes root

16 Jan – Source: Somalia Online Forum – 261 words

In the past couple of years I have slowly seen the Somalia state devolve slowly from a once unified central nation to a slow evolution of Clan states. Is it good or bad who knows? but what I see is a dark future for a new generation of Somalis. While our parents had an aspect of nationalism to define who they saw themselves today we see mini clan states emerging in the south and know in the north. Each clan has his or her own state case example Puntland which 100% D tribe and emerging states like Adwalland which is 100% G tribe.

This slow turning to clan enclave states will have destructive impact on Somalia in many levels one being citizens in those states will have more loyalty to their tribe then their so called federal state. How will one man one vote work when each tribe will elect their tribesman to be president? The mistake or weakness of establishing federal states in Somalia is the simple fact Somalis are not ready for this type of system.

First, Somalis must have a sense of National identity before putting the influences of regional identity. In America I am a Virginian but my core belief is that I am an American first. This is not what is happening in Somalia. Puntlanders view themself Punts then Somalia first or Adwal before Somalia first and so on. Somalia is dead and gone as what our parents knew and now comes the age of mini nations within a fragmented nation. Good bye Somalia rest in peace.