April 3, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
Ahlu Sunna claims victory over central Somalia Battle
02 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 75 words
The pro-government moderate group of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a has on Monday claimed victory over a fighting that occurred on Sunday in the town of Mahas, 320 KM away north of the capital, Mogadishu.
Adan Abdule Awale, one of Ahlu Sunna officials has told Shabelle Media that his fighters have destroyed the military capability of the militants, al Shabaab during the attack on the town.
Key Headlines
- Mass displacement starts in Afgoye corridor (Source: Bar-kulan)
- Kenyan police say Somalia’s Al-Shabab not to blame for latest bomb attacks (Source: NTV Nairobi)
- President Silanyo calls for peace after clashes (Source: Garowe Online)
- IDB Approves Finances of $ 389.3 Million (Source: Saudi Press Agency)
- Al Shabaab clash with Somali Kenyan troops (Source: Jowhar Online)
- MSF condemns shelling in Mogadishu (Source: New Times)
- Gangs kill government soldier in Baidoa town (Source: Bar-kulan Mareeg Online)
SOMALI MEDIA
Ahlu Sunna claims victory over central Somalia Battle
02 Apr – Source: Shabelle – 75 words
The pro-government moderate group of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a has on Monday claimed victory over a fighting that occurred on Sunday in the town of Mahas, 320 KM away north of the capital, Mogadishu.
Adan Abdule Awale, one of Ahlu Sunna officials has told Shabelle Media that his fighters have destroyed the military capability of the militants, al Shabaab during the attack on the town.
Mass displacement starts in Afgoye corridor
02 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan – 111 words
Hundreds of families in Afgoye town and its environs are fleeing their homes to escape potential clashes between the Somali troops backed by African Union forces in Mogadishu and al Shabaab militant group.
Reports say the fleeing families are flocking into the capital a day after the AU force urged them to return to Mogadishu where they initially fled to escape clashes.
Al Shabaab clash with Somali, Kenyan troops
02 Apr- Source: Jowhar Online- 83 words
Heavy fighting has rocked Ceel Cadde village in southwestern Somali region of Gedo.
The fierce fighting between al Shabaab and Somali forces backed by Kenyan troops involved the use of fighter jets and exchange of rockets.
The casualties caused by the fighting is unknown so far although some reports speak of heavy casualties.
President Silanyo calls for peace after clashes
02 Apr – Source: Garowe Online – 217 words
Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo has called for peace in Sool and Ayn region after his forces and local militia clashed on Sunday, Garowe reports. Clashes erupted on two fronts in the contested areas near Las’anod capital of Sool region and Buhodle capital of Ayn region. Two regions contested by Somaliland, Puntland and the newly formed Khatumo government.
Gangs kill government soldier in Baidoa town
02 Apr – Source: Bar-kulan, Mareeg Online – 144 words
Unknown gangs have last night shot dead a government soldier in south-west Somali city of Baidoa, reports say. The assailants attacked the soldiers as he walked out from a barber shop near the groceries market and killing him on the spot. The deceased was attached to the government’s revenue collection department in the city.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenyan police say Somalia’s Al-Shabab not to blame for latest bomb attacks
02 Apr- Source: NTV, Nairobi – 121 words
The Kenyan police say they believe Somalia’s Al-Shabab was not responsible for two bomb attacks in the coastal towns of Mombasa and Mtwapa, Kilifi on Saturday, the independent NTV has reported.
The Kenya deputy police spokesman, Charles Owino, said the attacks were “amateurish” and did not have the hallmarks of a trained group like Al-Shabab. He said considering Kenya is facing an “election year” other groups or individuals could be behind the attack and could be using Al-Shabab as a smokescreen.
One person was killed and scores injured in the twin attacks at a prayer meeting and a restaurant involving the use of a grenade and home-made bombs.
IDB Approves Finances of $ 389.3 Million
02 Apr- Source: Saudi Press Agency- 51 words
The Board of Executive Directors of Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group approved in its meeting here yesterday finances amounting to $ 389.3 million for developmental projects in a number of the Bank’s Member States.The projects will be implemented in the Somalia, Sudan, Gambia, Lebanon, Bahrain, Mauritania, Iran, Uzbekistan, Uganda, and Djibouti.
MSF condemns shelling in Mogadishu
01 Apr- Source: New Times- 127 words
International humanitarian medical charity, Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) on Saturday condemned the shelling of its hospital in Mogadishu which took place on Friday.
In a statement issued in Nairobi, the medical charity called on the parties to the conflict to respect the neutrality of the Daynile Hospital, along with that of all medical facilities in Somalia, and to respect the safety of the hospital’s patients and staff.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Australia’s Jacka farms into Somaliland oil block
02 Apr – Source: Reuters – 246 words
Australian oil explorer Jacka Resources has entered into an agreement with Petrosoma Limited to take a 50 percent equity stake in an oil block in a breakaway enclave of Somalia, Jacka said on Monday.
It said the 22,000 square kilometre Habra Garhajis block -formerly known as block 26 – in southwestern Somaliland was expected to be similar in geology to basins in Yemen and Uganda where billions of barrels of oil reserves have been discovered.
Video Puts Attention on Hostages Held by Somali Pirates
02 Apr- Source: VOA- 754 words
Somali pirates are threatening to kill South Korean and Indian sailors if those nations do not free pirates they have captured and intend to try in court. Both countries, which have used their navies to attack pirates, refuse to directly deal with kidnappers. A new video showing captured South Korean sailors is re-focusing attention on the hostages.
Pirates who seized a Singaporean-flagged vessel and its crew nearly a year ago say they will not release four South Koreans until their demands are met.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“It is unfortunate that many political commentators are today arguing for the inclusion of so-called ‘nationalist’ elements within al Shabaab into the Somali peace process. This is a catastrophic mistake — it equates to rewarding terrorists and rewarding all groups who seek political power through armed violence.”
Somalia peace process must not reward terrorism
02 Apr – Source: Garowe Online -751 Words
If he reforms, Col. Aweys must be willing to surrender weapons, must allow loyal fighters to undergo national rehabilitation program, and he must withdraw from Somali politics.
U.S. military officials have engaged in negotiations with Taliban rivals in Afghanistan. The Israeli and Palestinian leaders have met numerous times in world capitals, aiming to end the decades-long violence in the land of Palestine. Similarly, many world governments have engaged in direct talks with political opponents, armed or unarmed, in an effort understood to be aimed at resolving a political or military crisis in a part of the world. Such endeavor is both rational and human, for it is the aspiration of all well-wishing people to see an end to armed conflicts in different parts of the world.