August 31, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report
Somali Forces Take Control Of Halgan Area
31 August – Source: Shabelle News – 116 Words
The government forces, along with African Union troops have managed to take back control of Halgan area from Al-Shabaab militants following fierce clashes, according to officials. The capture of the Halgan comes after SNA soldiers backed by African Union mission for Somalia (AMISOM) launched military offensive against Al-Shabaab in Hiiraan region. A military official, Mohamed Omar told Shabelle Media based in Mogadishu that government troops backed by AMISOM soldiers had re-taken full control of Halgan from Al-Shabaab. Meanwhile, coalition forces killed several Al-Shabaab fighters during the battle that erupted in Halgan locality. The radical group of Al-Shabaab linked to Al-Qaeda militants did not comment on the military’s claims.
Key Headlines
- Somali Forces Take Control Of Halgan Area (Shabelle News)
- Galmudug Police Apprehend Six Suspected Armed Men (Goobjoog News)
- Ethiopian Forces Ward Off Al-Shabaab in Hiiraan Ambush (Wacaal Media)
- Top Somali Officials In Marka To Mourn (Somali Current)
- Somalia Prime Minister Visits Jubbaland Discussing Strained Ties (Garowe Online)
- Mohamed Bin Zayed Receives Somalia President (WAM Emirates News Agency)
- Army Chief Hails KDF Troops For Kismayo Work (The Star)
- Police Arrest Multiple Suspected Al-Shabaab Militants In Southern Somalia (Upi.com)
- Women Drive Success Of Somali Mall In Minneapolis (Star Tribune)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Galmudug Police Apprehend Six Suspected Armed Men
31 August – Source: Goobjoog News – 201 Words
Suspected armed robbers who used to rob passengers using Galkayo-Galinsoor road have been arrested after security operations conducted, Galmudug police says. Galmudug Police Commissioner, Abdi Jama’a Habeb has told Goobjoog News that the police has launched strenuous manhunt after unidentified gunmen robbed passengers in the area. “Our soldiers collaborating with local residents have carried out manhunt to apprehend these culprits” he said. “We got tips about the gunman from the public who decided to work hand in hand with the administration therefore we applaud those citizens who decided to wipe out thugs by informing the administration and we pledge that those arrested robbers will be taken to the court” Habeb has underlined.
He added that the suspected robbers would be arraigned in court to answer charges and this move is to bring back law and order in Galmudug State. After the Somali Central Government deposed in early 1990 hundreds of armed men emerged who mounted roadblocks that are far away from one another where they rob passengers. The Federal Government carried out several operations to remove the illegal roadblocks set by the men dressed in military uniform but no change was so far felt according to the drivers.
Ethiopian Forces Ward Off Al-Shabaab in Hiiraan Ambush
31 August – Source: Wacaal Media – 93 Words
Reports reaching Wacaal Media from Hiiraan region indicate that Ethiopian forces repulsed Al-shabaab after the militants ambushed their convoy in Garayani location near Beletweyne. The convoy was ferrying food rations to Ethiopian forces in Buula Burde when it came under heavy fire from the militants who were later overpowered in the ensuing gun battle. Although the militants lost major towns in recent offensives, they still control several locations that fall under Beletweyn and Buula Burde. The terror group recently recaptured Halgan location after Ethiopian forces withdrew from the area citing no reasons.
Top Somali Officials In Marka To Mourn
31 August – Source: Somali Current – 381 Words
Top officials in the Somali government Saturday visited the town of Marka where six family members were shot dead by the African Union forces during a wedding day last month. Led by the President of the South Western administration, Shariff Hassan Sheikh and the Minister of Human Rights and Women in the Federal Government, Sahro Mohamed Ali, the leaders said they came to mourn with the people of Marka and assess the general human rights situation in the town. “Today, I am not here (Marka) for political reasons. I am here to mourn and know the human rights situation of the town” Ms. Sahro said.
President Shariff assured Marka resident that their human rights would be uphold, adding that the security of the area “would soon be alright.” According to the Human Rights Watch report mid August, witnesses said that Ugandan forces entered a number of houses in Marka’s Rusiya neighbourhood. “At one house, where the Moalim Lidey family was celebrating a wedding, the soldiers separated the men from the women and shot the six adult men – four brothers, their father, and an uncle,” the report said. The four men immediately died while one of the brother’s, a fifth member of the family present, hid under a bed after he was shot, and his father died over the night when the soldiers reportedly refused to allow the family to take him to the hospital.
Three Ugandan army officers have been charged following the killing of seven family members in Marka. Maman Sidikou, the head of the African Union in Somalia, sent an apology to the families of the seven people killed in the attack that caused uproar from Somalis and rights groups. AMISOM, which is an African union force, has earlier denied that they caused the deaths. Mr Sidikou admitted the incident on Friday in a statement. “We have established that, on that occasion, seven civilians died following an incident involving our troops,” he said. The statement continued, “I would like, on behalf of the African Union, to offer my sincere apology for these deaths. We regret these deaths,” he added. “I have instituted a board of inquiry composed of military, civilian and police officers who are not from the contingent concerned in order to ensure impartiality,” Mr Sidikou added.
Somalia Prime Minister Visits Jubbaland, Discussing Strained Ties
30 August – Source: Garowe Online – 225 Words
Federal Government of Somalia’s Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has arrived in the southern port city of Kismayo on one day visit on Sunday, Garowe Online reports. Jubbaland President Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe), Vice President Abdulkadir Haji Mohamud (Lugadere) and Interior Minister Gen. Mohamed Warsame (Darwish) have welcomed Sharmarke’s delegation at Kismayo international airport. Somalia Prime Minister was being accompanied by Interior Minister Abdirahman Mohamed Hussein and Attorney General Ahmed Ali Dahir on his trip to Jubaland.
Talks between the two sides focused on the ways of restoring the strained ties and disputes over the legitimacy of Jubbaland parliament. Speaking at a joint press conference with Sharmarke, Jubbaland President said that they stressed the need to move forward and the formation of joint committees in light of the prevailing political rift. “We agreed to resolve the complaints and we named committees that will discuss solutions to [disputes],” Madobe told reporters.
Prime Minister Sharmarke who returned to Mogadishu wished that both Puntland and Jubbaland will play a pivotal role in Somalia’s political transition ahead of 2016 elections. On June 6, Somali Members of Parliament voted in favor of a controversial motion in a session marred by delays and lack of quorum. Jubbaland Vice President Gen. Abdullahi Sheikh Ismael (Fartag) reacted with the suspension of cooperation with UN-backed national government on the same day.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Mohamed Bin Zayed Receives Somalia President
31 August – Source: WAM Emirates News Agency – 208 Words
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, yesterday received Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who is on a visit to the country. Shaikh Mohammad welcomed the Somali President and his delegation. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to advance them to serve the common interests of both nations and peoples. The talks also touched on the latest regional developments and a number of issues of mutual concern. Shaikh Mohammad wished Somalia more stability and development and achievement of the aspirations of the Somali people for peace and security and prosperity in all walks of life.
He stressed that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will continue to support humanitarian and development efforts in Somalia. The Somali President expressed his thanks and appreciation for the efforts undertaken by the UAE in Somalia, especially with regard to development initiatives and projects carried out by the UAE in many fields. He said that the UAE has always stood by Somalia in the darkest and most difficult conditions. Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and other senior officials, were present.
Army Chief Hails KDF Troops For Kismayo Work
31 August – Source: The Star – 289 Words
The Kenya Defence Forces Army Commander, Lt Gen Leonard Ngondi, at the weekend visited Kenyan troops serving under AMISOM, in Kismayo, Somalia. Lt Gen Ngondi who recently took over the Army command made his maiden visit to the AMISOM Sector II headquarters in Kismayo. He was welcomed and briefed by AMISOM KDF and sector commander Commander Brigadier Daniel Bartonjo. Lt Gen Ngondi also held talks with Jubbaland President, Ahmed Mohamed Islam- Madobe, on the region’s security and the latest ‘Operation Jubba Corridor’. He inspected Kenyan troop installations both at the new and old airports of Kismayo, where he lauded their efforts in fighting Al-Shabaab and their recent victories, including the capture of Bardhere town from insurgents.
The army boss said he recognises the important role the troops have played towards improving security in Somalia and the East African region. Brig Bartonjo said the army commander was on a familiarisation tour. “He visited troops in various locations, including the new and old airports in Kismayu. He was briefed on AMISOM operations in sector two and sector Kismayo,” Brig Bartonjo said. Lt Gen Ngondi congratulated the troops for capturing Kuday, Taraka and Bardhere regions from militants. The visit comes after reports that 250 Al-Shabaab fighters have been killed by AMISOM troops backed by the Somalia National Army soldiers in Somalia in August alone during the ‘Operation Jubba Corridor’.
Police Arrest Multiple Suspected Al-Shabaab Militants In Southern Somalia
30 August – Source: Upi.com – 315 Words
Police arrested several suspected members of terrorist group Al-Shabaab during an operation in the town of Bardhere, in southern Somalia’s Gedo region. “We conducted a large-scale security operation in the town following intelligence information that a number of people with intention of planning attacks are hiding in the city,” Xinhua news agency quoted Abdiqani Shu’ayb, a senior police officer in Bardhere, as saying. Shu’ayb said officers found “different types of weapons used by al-Shabab to disrupt the security situation” and that police would “continue similar operations to beef up security.”
News of the arrests comes amid multiple reports of Somali government and African Union forces engaging Al-Shabaab forces in southern portions of the country. Xinhua reports Somali and AU forces captured Bardhere from the militants earlier this month, and Somalia’s military said it killed 12 Al-Shabaab militants during a battle for the town of Garbaharey, in the Gedo region, on Aug. 25. AU forces in Somalia on July 14 said they killed 25 al-Shabab fighters during a five-hour militant assault on the Rage Celle district, in the country’s south.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“The roots of female Somali entrepreneurship run deeper than the civil war, said Amallina Ali, the owner of a beauty salon that just moved into new space at Karmel Square. In Somalia, women have long performed many of the same jobs as men — raising livestock, cultivating crops — even while caring for their children, she said. And a culture where polygamy was widely accepted has, for generations, pounded into women the need to be financially self-sufficient, she said.”
Women Drive Success Of Somali Mall In Minneapolis
31 August – Source: Star Tribune – 1,625 Words
A tax preparer in a shirt and tie dropped in on Bulbulo Mohamud’s cafe last week and said he believes it’s better for women to stay home and take care of children. Mohamud, a mother of three in a red and black headscarf whose husband travels for work, poured a drink and looked at the man sideways. He was half-grinning, goading her. A European soccer game droned on a TV in the corner. “You’re trying to make me mad,” she said. It was an odd venue to argue for stay-at-home motherhood. Women who own businesses are driving the growth of Karmel Square at the corner of Pillsbury Avenue and Lake Street. The mall is probably the largest collection of Somali businesses in the U.S.
What began as a warren of stalls and storefronts in an old machine shop has grown into a second, four-story building along the Midtown Greenway. Inside are 175 clothing shops, hair salons, henna shops, restaurants and even a mosque. All but 25 are owned by women. The mall is the scene of a rich paradox in Somali culture. The women who run the shops cover their heads, and many of them believe it is a man’s responsibility to pay bills for the family. Yet they are aggressive business people, cherish financial independence and preside over a microeconomy at the core of the Twin Cities’ Somali community.
“Our man does not control us as people think. It’s not like that. We are free to do anything,” said Mohamud, who opened her cafe there four months ago. “If we decide to achieve something and make it clear, we can.” Ubah Diriye grew up in Seattle from age 4, where her family settled in public housing in the 1990s. “It was very hard for my mother and father,” she said. “We started from the bottom.” She dressed like a Westerner before moving to Minneapolis three years ago. Now she wears a headscarf and designs and sells clothes that aim to blend modesty and fashion. It’s a small shop and she has no regular employees, but she creates her own designs and has them manufactured in China. She supports herself with the shop and is looking for other businesses to start.
TOP TWEETS
@OCHASom: @UNdeClerq releasing food security & nutrition data for #Somalia in #Mogadishu & #Nairobi
@Tuuryare_Africa: BREAKING: Four people incl a woman on suspicion of #AlShabab have been executed by IJA military soldiers in #Gedweyne – Residents #Somalia
@Terror_Monitor: #SOMALIA Head of CID in #Mogadishu‘s Dharkenley District Issa Mursal Shot Dead By #AlShabaabGunmen In The Capital – Report
@AfmobiNews: Somalia: Farah Makes Running History Under Pressure From Kenya’s Ndiku http://allafrica.com/stories/
@YEMEN_Newz: UAE, Somalia vow to enhance bilateral tieshttp://news.xinhuanet.com/
@Somaliupdate: Former #Somali PM’s Strategy to Block Revenues and Funds From #AlShabaab #Somaliahttp://somaliupdate.com/
@mtalyaani: It was a great meeting between journalists in MN and Minister of planning & inter cooperation of #Somalia@Aynte.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Army Commander, Lt. General Leonard Ngondi meets with Jubbaland President, Ahmed Madobe.Their discussions centered on the security of the region
Photo: AMISOM