June 26, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somalia: Civilians Killed in Kismayo Clashes

26 Jun – Source: Human Rights Watch – 400 words

Rival clan militas in Kismayo, Somalia, earlier this month caused an unknown number of civilian casualties in apparently indiscriminate attacks on civilian buildings.

The United Nations reported that at least 31 civilians were killed and 38 more wounded during the fighting on June 7 and 8, 2013, which erupted after weeks of mounting tension over control of the lucrative port.Casualty figures are conflicting because the dead and wounded were taken to different locations across the city, and information regarding the status of the casualties is limited.

Key Headlines

Somali Parliament Speaker meets Yemen ambassador in Mogadishu (al Shahid/SABA)
Terror financing fears stop transfers to Somalia ( AP)
Al Shabaab ambush government convoy in Bay region (Radio Shabelle)
IDPs in Luq in urgent need of food aid ( Radio Ergo)
Terror group leader flees to Mudug region (Radio Bar-kulan)

SOMALI MEDIA

Al Shabaab ambush government convoy in Bay region

25 Jun- Source: Radio Shabelle- 100 words

One government soldier has been confirmed dead and 9 others have sustained serious injuries after al Shabaab attacked a government troops convoy on the road between Qansaxdhere and Awdinley towns in Bay region. The troops were heading towards Awdinley when al Shabaab fighters launched a surprise attack. AMISOM troops and additional government soldiers arrived at the scene to fend off the attackers and secure the government convoy. The injured government soldiers have been rushed to Baidoa general hospital. Some of the injured soldiers are reported to be in critical conditions after they sustained serious gunshot wounds.

IDPs in Luq in urgent need of food aid

25 Jun- Source: Radio Ergo- 170 words

Around 4,000 internally displaced Somali families living in 14 IDP centres in and around Luq town are complaining of lack of food, medicine and basic shelter. These IDPs fled from their homes as result of droughts and conflict experienced in parts of Bay, Bakool, Miiddle and Lower Juba, and Gedo regions. Some of them have been in Luq for several years., Radio Ergo interviewed Saqawi Sheikh Mohamed, an organizer in one of the camps. Saqawi said in the past few weeks, the camp dwellers had been hit hard by shortages of essential items. “Initially we used to get food aid from humanitarian organization, but since the beginning of this year, the rations have stopped. So we currently suffer acute food shortages. There is no adequate security as well; we live in fear of conflict. We are also in dire need of medical services, as there are no proper health facilities here and poor sanitation is another difficulty causing sickness.” Saqawi said

Terror group leader flees to Mudug region

25 Jun- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Shabelle/ Mustaqbal/Hiiraan Online- 148 words

Hassan Dahir Aweys, a senior official of al Shabaab terror group has fled to Hundulle, 18 KMs eastern of Hardhere town of Mudug region in central Somalia, as Abdi Jamal Moalim, local media reports. Aweys is said to have escaped from Barawe town, Lower Shabelle region after dispute between the top leaders of the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab terror group begun to emerge. A group loyal to the top al Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane has accused some of the group’s senior officials including Sheikh Mukhtar Robow, Hassan Dahir Aweys, Ibrahim al Afghani, Omar Hammami among other leaders on its Twitter account for splitting the group. In the statement posted on al Shabaab’s Twitter further stated that these leaders are dividing the terror group for personal interests.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somali Parliament Speaker meets Yemen ambassador in Mogadishu

25 Jun- Source: al Shahid/SABA- 121 words

Somali Parliament Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari met with the Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Yemen in Mogadishu Fuad Mohamed Al Rizqa, the two leaders discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries. This came in a meeting in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Somali Parliament Speaker praised during the meeting, the distinguished relations between Yemen and Somalia, and the generous assistance provided by Yemen to the Somali refugees to Yemen. For his part, Yemni ambassador thanked the speaker for his tribute to the positions of Yemen, pointing out that the positions of the Government and people of Yemen stems from the great keenness on the security and stability of their brothers in Somalia.

Kenya : Man pleads not guilty to terrorism charges

25 Jun- Source: The Star (Kenya)- 109 words

A man accused of knowingly harbouring a terrorist in his home in has pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges. Issa Salim Mukabi appeared at the Milimani High Court today where he was charged with 12 counts of terrorism. As part of the judges, Salim is accused of harbouring a known terrorist Donald Odhiambo alias Najimudin Rama in June last year. Odhiambo who was shot dead by police last year was linked to terrorism attacks in Nairobi’s Carlifonia estate on June 10 2012. The court denied Salim bail as investigations into the matter are still ongoing while a hearing has been set for September 3.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia: Civilians Killed in Kismayo Clashes

26 Jun – Source: Human Rights Watch – 400 words

Rival clan militas in Kismayo, Somalia, earlier this month caused an unknown number of civilian casualties in apparently indiscriminate attacks on civilian buildings.

Terror financing fears stop transfers to Somalia

25 Jun – Source: AP- 136 words

When a bank transfers money to Somalia, can it be sure it’s not sending money to terrorists? That question is forcing one of Britain’s largest banks to cut ties with the biggest cash transfer bank in Somalia. Many Somalis are in desperate need of money. Payments from family and friends overseas are how many get by, and that’s why more than 100 aid workers and Somalia experts signed a letter this week pleading with the British government to find a solution to the decision by Barclays to cut ties with the Somali bank Dahabshil. Dahabshil describes itself as “the most trusted money transfer company for many immigrants willing to support their families and friends.” But fewer banks in Britain and the U.S. are willing to transfer money into Somalia.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“The United Nations, for its part, has started to boost its presence in the country. U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Somalia head Justin Brady said in April that the global body plans to increase its international staff in Mogadishu from some 25 to 70-90 starting July. Other heads of U.N. agencies were also planning to relocate to Mogadishu after years of operating from Kenya, although it is now a question how this will push through following the June 19 attack.”

Somalia: Donors unfazed despite UN compound attack

25 June- Source: Devex-720 Words

The recent attack on a U.N. compound in Mogadishu has raised fears of possible donor shakeup, but several of Somalia’s top donors seem to not be shaken with the latest security setback in one of Africa’s most fragile states. Fifteen people have reportedly died from the June 19 suicide bombing; the United Nations confirmed the death of four Somali guards, three contractors and one international staff member. It was a deadly attack that endangered the foundations — however shaky — the new Somali government has tried hard to put in place to win back donor confidence in the country, which for many years has suffered instability and insecurity.