May 20, 2015 | Morning Headlines.

South West State Executes Convicted Al-Shabaab Fighter In Baidoa

19 May – Source: RBC Radio- 147 Words

Interim South West administration has executed a man found guilty of plotting the deadly terror attack on the administration’s main compound, killing at least four police officer and wounding several others, RBC Reports. Somali military tribunal has convicted Siraaji Abdullahi of attacking the Interim South West Administration base compound with explosives-laden car.

After the hearing the case, the court has sentenced Siraaji to death by firing squad on 15/04/2015. Siraaji has been also found of fighting along the notorious Al-qaida militants Al-shabaab. The regional authority has today performed execution on this convicted Al-shabaab militant in Baidoa, the interim base of the fragile state of South West Somalia. Hundreds of people gathered at the scene of the execution of the sentenced Al-Shabaab member in Baidoa, the provincial capital of Bay region.

Key Headlines

Somali Regional Leader Says He Survived Ambush Near Mogadishu (Radio Danaan)
Hundreds Demonstrate Against Motion Presented Before The Federal Parliament of
Somalia (Goobjoog News)
Somali King In South Africa To Meet Zulu King Over Xenophobia Attacks (Horseed Media)
Puntland Govt Lifts Ban On Nat’l Broadcaster Operations (Garowe Online)
South West State Executes Convicted Al-shabab Fighter In Baidoa (RBC Radio)
Two Missing Girls Claim They’ve Joined Islamist Group In Syria (Standard Digital)
How Al-Shabaab Is Dividing Communities In Northern Kenya (Channel 4 News)
Life as a Somali Nomad Motivates Starbucks Partner to Help Children (Starbucks Newsroom)
How Somalia’s Al-Shabaab Turned Against Its Own Foreign Fighters (The Intercept)

NATIONAL MEDIA

Somali Regional Leader Says He Survived Ambush Near Mogadishu

19 May – Source: Radio Danaan- 186 Words

One day after he survived an attempt on his life after the Al-Qaeda-linked militants in Somalia ambushed a convoy escorting him, the president of southwestern state said he would not be deterred by the attack. Police officials confirmed that Sharif Hassan Aden was unharmed, but no casualties have so far been reported in the attack near Afgoye, an agricultural town near Mogadishu. Speaking to the reporters after the attack, Mr. Aden said he thought the militants used a landmine blast to snag his convoy so that they can attack him.

Police officers said Mr. Aden’s soldiers escorting him fought back and repulsed the rebels. Mr. Hassan was on his way to Marka town when the rebels waylaid his convoy. The latest attack is second attempt on his life. In March, Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Shabaab militants attacked his palace in the central town of Baidoa, home to a key regional government headquarters, United Nations compound and airport, security officials said. At least 10 people were killed in the attack claimed by Al-Shabab group

Hundreds Demonstrate Against Motion Presented Before The Federal Parliament of Somalia

19 May – Source: Goobjoog News – 144 Words

Reports from Lower Jubba region indicate that hundreds of Somalis took to the streets of Kismaayo town demonstrating against motion against the newly formed regional parliament of Interim Jubba Administration (IJA) which was presented to Somali federal parliament. The demonstration is organized by some of the civil society including IJA women associations and children and people were carrying placards reading “we don’t will allow interference, let we decide for ourselves.”

Some of the Protestors said that the motion against IJA parliament is backed by some of the MPs who have hidden agendas. “We are going to swallow the destructive ideas run by some of the federal MPs who were being bribe to throw the hope IJA people through the window” said one elderly protester. Some of the federal Lawmakers have presented Motion against the newly formed IJA parliament claiming that it was formed inclusively.

Somali King In South Africa To Meet Zulu King Over Xenophobia Attacks

19 May – Source: Horseed Media – 239 Words

King Burhan Musa, the 34th King of the Daarood Kingdom, one of the largest clans in the Horn of Africa who is in South Africa is expected to meet the Controversial Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithi.

On Monday night, King Burhan and his delegation met King Zwelithi’s son and other family members, who paid a visit to the hotel he’s living in Cape Town. Both sides held talks on the recent Xenophobia attacks. According to the delegation of King Burhan, the meeting of the two kings is expected to take on Wednesday.“King Burhan’s main message to the King of Zulu is to safeguard the dignity of Somali citizens in South Africa, who have been mistreated,’’ said a statement from the Daarood King’s office.

In March, Xenophobia attacks rocketed across South Africa, and several people lost lives through unnecessary violence after the King had said in a speech ‘foreigners must pack their bags and go home’ during speech’. The attacks were condemned worldwide, mostly by African countries. After weeks of violence, the King later on went to deny the statement and claimed that it was a ‘misinterpretation’. He called for peace and asked the South Africans to protect the foreigners. King Burhan was inaugurated as the 34th King of the Daarood Kingdom, one of the largest clans in the Horn of Africa and Somalia last year in a big ceremony attended by traditional from Somalia and across the region.

Puntland Govt Lifts Ban On Nat’l Broadcaster Operations

19 May – Source: Garowe Online – 208 Words

Despite fickle relations, Puntland government in northern Somalia has lifted ban on all activities of Mogadishu-based Nat’l broadcaster on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports. In a letter bearing the signature of Deputy Minister of Interior Abdullahi Hashi Warsame, Puntland said it has suspended Somali National TV operations for false reporting earlier today. The northeastern state blamed state-run TV station for featuring stories that might malign the unwavering support Puntland government and its people continue to extend to Somalis fleeing from Yemen conflict.

A few hours after the brief closure order, Warsame told VOA Somali Service that the decision has been revoked following apologies from the Management of SNTV. “Reporter admitted to covering event in error,” he said. “SNTV [Somali National TV unfoundedly reported on the sound efforts Puntland government and its people are undertaking to brace up for Yemen refugee influx,” read the statement released online in the morning. Puntland previously suspended the activities of Somali National TV, branding it propaganda ‘mouthpiece’. Relations between Mogadishu-based Federal Government and Puntland have been precarious, with the latter withdrawing support in mid-2014. More than 5000 people including Somalis, Ethiopians, and Djiboutian have arrived ashore, largely in the Gulf of Aden port city of Bossaso.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Two Missing Girls Claim They’ve Joined Islamist Group In Syria

19 May – Source: Standard Digital – 496 Words

Two 20-year-old girls who disappeared last Wednesday have shocked their relatives who have received a message saying that they are in Syria. If true, the youths will become the first confirmed cases of Kenyans who have joined the ISIS. The two childhood friends – Salwa Abdalla and Twafiqa Dahir – who are residents of Nairobi’s South C Estate left their homes on Wednesday afternoon and have been missing since then.However, on Sunday evening, they broke their silence in a message that has brought tears instead of joy to their relatives and a new security headache to the Kenyan government after one of them said that she is in Syria. Twafiqa Dahir, while chatting with her cousin using the Telegram messaging application, opened up that she had crossed over to Syria. The cousin who identified herself as Rahama Abnasir said that they exchanged 27 messages between them.

“I received the first message at 9.28pm when she informed me that she had arrived in Syria. We finished chatting at 9.47pm. She promised to get back to me on Monday after buying a new phone and getting a home to stay at,” Rahama said. Both parents described their daughters as disciplined children and who have very few friends between them.“I live in Mandera and I always talk to my daughter daily over the phone. However, on Wednesday last week, we did not talk since her phone was switched off,” Rahma Adan, Twafiqa’s mother said.

How Al-Shabaab Is Dividing Communities In Northern Kenya

18 May- Source: Channel 4 News – 605 Words

Al-Shabaab militants killed 148 non-Muslim students in the northern Kenyan town of Garissa last month. Jamal Osman finds that a growing number of Christian residents are now fleeing the community. Students came under attack early in the morning as they slept. Four Al-Shabaab gunmen stormed the university compound, separated Muslims from non-Muslims and shot dead 148 people in cold blood,writes Channel 4 News Africa Reporter Jamal Osman.

Al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda branch in east Africa, was unapologetic about targeting students. Sheikh Ali Dhere, the group’s spokesman, told Channel 4 News: “They were Christians who would be future military generals, police commanders, administrators and members of parliament.” In the past, al-Shabaab demanded that Kenyan forces who invaded Somalia three years ago leave the country. That has now changed. The group wants Christian Kenyans to leave Garissa and other Muslim areas. They say it is rightfully their land. The Al-Shabaab spokesman said: “We are saying they have to leave the whole Muslim land. We won’t give up an inch of the Muslim land. And the killing will continue until they go back to Christian land.”

OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE

“As a nomadic child, there were many days that a small container of water allowed my family to survive another day. The same little girl who was literally dying for a drop of water is now a Starbucks partner (employee) opening stores and contributing to the company’s success,” Farah said. “If you open the opportunity door for a child, like my uncle and brother did for me, you are creating endless possibilities for that child.”

Life As A Somali Nomad Motivates Starbucks Partner To Help Children

18 May – Source: Starbucks Newsroom – 837 Words

Asha Farah, spent the first 11 years of her life as a nomad in Somalia. For half the year, she chased the rainfalls and raised livestock with her mother and siblings. Their only shelter was a portable house made of bent sticks, dried grass and woven mats. “As a child, my daily life focused on battling thirst, hunger and extreme drought,” Farah explained. Farah’s uncle had moved to the city to build a better life. He found work and received an education. And, like many in Somalia who reach a certain level of success, Farah’s uncle was intent on supporting his nomadic family. He began by educating his younger brothers and their children, including Farah’s brother.

In the mid-1970s, Farah and family members still living as nomads lost everything they had to drought. Her brother, who had become an officer in the Somali Army, evacuated the family. Farah, now twelve years old, was exposed to Somalia’s city life and school for the first time. “From the moment I got the chance to read and write, I knew it was my turn to make it and never forget others who did not get the rare opportunity I had been given,” she said.

Eleven years later, Farah moved to Washington, D.C. She began a new life, taking advantage of every opportunity before her. However, there was more Farah wanted for her life, so she headed west to pursue her dreams. “As difficult as the nomadic life was, I’m incredibly thankful for the survival skills it gave me,” said Farah. “Somali nomads are proud, resilient, and resourceful. These traits came in handy as I adjusted to life in the U.S.”

“Following Hammami’s lead, after receiving basic training from Al-Shabaab, Ibrahim began to engage in regular attacks against AMISOM troops — mostly from Uganda and Burundi. “I took part in a lot of battles, mostly within Mogadishu. I don’t think any battles had a name,” he recalls. “When I came, I stayed with foreign fighters known as muhajireen.” He said there were fighters from the United States, Canada, the U.K., Denmark, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and East African countries.”

How Somalia’s Al-Shabaab Turned Against Its Own Foreign Fighters

19 May – Source: The Intercept – 3,987 Words

U.S. COUNTERTERRORISM AGENCIES have long been preoccupied with the threat posed by the recruiting successes of the Somali terrorist group Al Shabaab in Western countries. The group has managed to lure hundreds of foreign fighters — including some 40 Americans — to Somalia through online propaganda videos and word-of-mouth in disaffected immigrant communities. In recent years, however, al Shabaab has turned on the foreign fighters in its own ranks, waging a brutal campaign to purge the perceived spies from its midst. An intimate account of the Shabaab civil war was provided to The Intercept in a series of interviews conducted with a current member of al Shabaab and a source who has maintained close contacts with the group.

Al-Shabaab has assassinated several foreign fighters on the CIA’s kill/capture list over the past few years and currently runs a network of secret prisons that hold, on charges of spying, U.S., British and other Western citizens who came to Somalia to join Shabaab, The Intercept has found. Shabaab operatives torture detainees using techniques such as waterboarding, beatings, and food and sleep deprivation, and conduct public executions of suspected spies, including by crucifixion.Ibrahim* is a citizen of a Western country who traveled to Somalia several years ago to join Shabaab. He is currently living in a Shabaab-controlled territory, and the group believes he is a loyal member.

The Intercept, which has confirmed his real identity, granted him anonymity and agreed not to identify his country of origin because criticizing Shabaab can result in imprisonment or death. “I’d be arrested and tortured,” Ibrahim said when asked what would happen if he spoke out against the group. Like other young Westerners of Somali origin, Ibrahim decided to move to Somalia after watching Shabaab’s videos on the Internet and following the news of battles between Somali militants and the U.S.-backed African peacekeeping force, AMISOM. “At that time there was a lot of stuff going on and I felt like it was my religious duty to participate in the holy jihad that was going on in Somalia. And I felt that it was my responsibility as a Muslim youth to support my brothers and sisters in Somalia against the enemy,” he says. “I felt like the call of Somalia had to be answered.”