November 24, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali Islamists execute 28 non-Muslims on Kenyan bus

23 Nov – Source: Reuters.com – 505 words

The Somali Islamist militant group al Shabaab said it had staged an attack in Kenya on Saturday in which gunmen ordered non-Muslims off a bus and shot 28 dead, while sparing Muslim passengers. Three of the group led out to be killed saved their lives by reciting verses of the Koran for the militants, a local security official said. Al Shabaab said its men had ambushed the Nairobi-bound bus outside the town of Mandera, near Kenya’s border with Somalia and Ethiopia, and killed the non-Muslims in retaliation for raids on mosques in the city of Mombasa. On Monday, police in the port city shot dead one man and arrested almost 400 others when they raided four mosques that they said were being used to recruit militants and stash weapons. “The Mujahideen successfully carried out an operation near Mandera early this morning, which resulted in 28 crusaders perishing, as revenge for the crimes committed by the Kenyan crusaders against our Muslim brethren in Mombasa,” Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, al Shabaab’s spokesman, said in a statement. Many Islamist militants use the term “crusaders” to describe Christians or non-Muslims in general. Police Inspector General David Kimaiyo said 19 men and nine women had been killed. “Preliminary reports indicate that the attackers, who were heavily armed, later fled towards the border into Somali,” he told reporters. A witness, who asked not to be identified, said the attackers had boarded the bus and tried to identify Muslims and non-Muslims. Ahmed Maalim, an official at the Mandera East sub-county security force, said the attackers had ordered passengers thought to be non-Muslims out of the bus. Three were spared after reciting Koranic verses and ordered back on the bus. “The women and men (remaining outside) were separated, then shot at close range,” he said. “None survived.” In response to the attack, Kenya’s armed forces launched ground and air raids and destroyed a camp believed to have been used by the attackers. An army spokesman said the assault would continue until the attackers were arrested.

Key Headlines

Suspected Al-shabab members due to appear before a military court in Kismayo (Radio Goobjoog)
Al Shabaab blamed for poisoning (Radio Bar-kulan)
300 arrested in swoops in Baidoa ( Radio Dalsan )
Mungab urges Mogadishu land related cases submitted to his office (Radio Bar-kulan)
Comedian Ilkase’s body buried in Mogadishu (Radio Dalsan)
Jubaland military court executes soldier for murder (Garowe Online)
Somalia’s Federal Parliament Speaker Jawari returns to Mogadishu (Radio Goobjoog )
Somalia condemns Al Shabaab attack in Kenya (Radio Bar-kulan)
KDF killed 100 Al Shabaab attackers after Mandera massacre DP Ruto (Star)
Ill-fated bus was being commandeered to Somalia (Standard Media)
Kimaiyo orders armed escort for PSVs near Somalia (Capital News
UN slams deadly terrorist attack on bus in northern Kenya(Xinhua)
Somali Islamist execute 28 non-Muslims on Kenyan Bus(Reuters.com)
Twin Cities man killed in Somalia is remembered at St.Paul memorial (Twincities)

PRESS STATEMENT

AMISOM Condemns Mandera Attack

23 Nov – Source: AMISOM – 181 words

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Maman S. Sidikou, strongly condemns the barbaric killing of 28 innocent travellers by Al-Shabaab terrorists in the Mandera area of northern Kenya yesterday. The SRCC extends his deepest condolences to the victims’ families, the Government and people of Kenya and the brave soldiers of AMISOM’s Kenyan contingent, as they mourn their loved ones and countrymen who were killed in this senseless attack. “This heinous attack demonstrates yet again the savage nature of Al-Shabaab. Their only legacy now is a series of terrible crimes and the shedding of innocent blood, for which they will be held accountable. We stand with our Kenyan brothers and sisters at this difficult time, and assure them that this has only strengthened our resolve to put an end to the wanton murder and anarchy being championed by those terrorists,” Ambassador Sidikou said. The SRCC joins the Kenya and Somalia governments in calling for the immediate release of several travellers who are reported to have been kidnapped by the terrorists during the attack.

SOMALI MEDIA

Suspected Al-shabab members due to appear before a military court in Kismayo

23 Nov – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 182 words

Senior Officials of a military court in the port city of Kismayo confirm that suspected Al-shabab members whose investigations are about complete will be brought to court to face trial. The head of the court Sheikh Hassan Ibrahim Issak told Goobjoog FM that the suspects were arrested after intensive security operations carried out by IJA forces in Kismayo and surrounding areas. “Intelligence Security are conducting investigations on the suspects, they will be brought to justice within the coming few days after investigations are over” the chairman said.

On the other hand the military court has on Saturday executed a soldier among IJA forces who killed another person in Kismayo. The interim administration of Juba in Southern Somalia getting helping hand from AMISOM, KDF has intensified its efforts to smoke out Al-shabab from the region, Kenyan fighter jets carried air strike in the outskirts of Kismayo killing at least two people. KDF officials claim they targeted Al-shabab bases between Kismayo and Birta Dheer locality. Earlier this month IJA forces lost the control of Kuda Island in a heavy clash with al-shabab fighters.

Al Shabaab blamed for poisoning

23 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 108 words

The interim Juba land administration has blamed Al Shabaab militant group for poisoning several wells in lower Juba. Somali military official in the area Col. Mursal Gedi Adan has confirmed to the media that the group has poisoned water sources in Bula Gadud, Yontoy, Wirkoy and Barsanguni areas. Col. Mursal has warned against the effect of the toxic water by the group to the locals. He said after losing the area to government forces the group is trying to employ new tactics which is meant to punish the locals which cooperate with security forces. Al Shabaab militant group is yet to comment on the claim by government forces.

300 arrested in swoops in Baidoa

23 Nov – Source: Radio Dalsan – 95 words

Security forces in Baidoa have arrested 300 persons in swoops they have carried out yesterday afternoon. The operation was prolonged and was going on till last night. The 300 were suspected of planning terrorist activities. Baidoa Police Boss Col. Mahad C/kariin told Dalsan last night that some of the arrested people were later released for lack of evidence. He added that they are still investigating the remaining ones.

Mungab urges Mogadishu land related cases submitted to his office

23 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 125 words

Mogadishu mayor Hassan Mohamed Hussein has urged residents of the capital Mogadishu who have disputes over land to contact his office for help. Speaking to state media Mogadishu mayor who also doubles up as the governor of Benadir has stated his administration efforts to resolve land related cases in the capital Mogadishu in conjunction with the judiciary. He said his administration is ready to solve the increasing land ownership related cases in the city of Mogadishu. Mungab also noted his administration ongoing efforts of cleaning in the city and restoration of solar electric lighting in the major streets in the city.

Comedian Ilkase’s Body Buried in Mogadish

23 Nov – Source: Radio Dalsan – 97 words

The body of the great Somali Comedian Abdi Mohamud Ilkaase was today buried in Mogadishu. Mr. Ilkaase died last Friday in a mysterious death. Since then CID was investigating reports that he might be poisoned. However, there are no confirmations on that yet. The burial was attended by government officials, ministers and other leaders as well as many members of the public. Minister for Information Mustaf Sheikh Ali Duhulow who was one of the minister who attended the burial pledged that his ministry will assist the wife and children of the late great comedian Mr. Ilkaase.

Jubaland military court executes soldier for murder

23 Nov – Source: Garowe Online – 133 words

Jubaland military court has executed a soldier convicted of killing a 9-year-old boy in the southern port city of Kismayo on Saturday, Garowe Online reports. The convicted killer-Abdirashid Abdi-was executed by the firing squad with prosecutor-general Hassan Ishaq Yarow present. Addressing reporters at the scene of the execution, Yarow said that soldiers who deliberately kill civilians will face death penalties. The death sentence and the subsequent execution mark the first since the new state’s first military course was set up last week.

Somalia’s Federal Parliament Speaker Jawari returns to Mogadishu

23 Nov – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 129 words

Somalia’s Parliament Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari has returned to Mogadishu after two days official visit to neighboring Djibouti. Jeylaani Nuur Iikar first Deputy Speaker of the federal Parliament was among the members who welcomed him At Moqdishu’s Aden Adde International Airport earlier today. In two days visit at Djibouti Capital Jawaari attended the opening ceremony of Djibouti’s new Parliamentary house in the capital Djibouti. The Speaker took closed door meeting with his Djiboutian counterpart; they discussed wide range issues including the bilateral relations between the two Parliaments and the division of the Somali Federal Parliament. Before departing to Djabuti on Friday Speaker Jawaari stressed that he will come on Sunday and the Parliament session will resume on Monday and the no confidence motion against Somali Premier will be distributed.

Somalia condemns al Shabaab attack in Kenya

23 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 110 words

The federal government of Somalia has condemned the attack claimed by Al Shabaab in Kenya on Saturday. Al Qaida linked militant group claimed to have carried out the killing of 28 people near Kenyan Somalia border in revenge for Kenyan police raids in Mombasa mosques. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed have strongly condemned the attack and sent their condolences to both family of the victims and the government of Kenya. Somalia government said it will cooperate with neighboring Kenya over the fight against terror group Al Shabaab saying it will do all it can to help Kenyan government efforts to bring those responsible before justice.

REGIONAL MEDIA

KDF killed 100 Al Shabaab attackers after Mandera massacre, DP Ruto

23 Nov – Source: Star – 519 words

The government has killed more than 100 Al Shabaab militiamen following the dawn attack on a bus in Mandera that left 28 people dead. Deputy President William Ruto said yesterday the government had launched two across the boarder operations against the perpetrators of the murderous executions across the border. “Our retaliatory action left in its trail more than 100 fatalities. It also destroyed four technicals and the camp from which this crime was planned,” he said. Ruto said this yesterday when he delivered the government official statement on the attack that happened in the early hours of Saturday morning in Mandera county.

He said the rapid action by KDF is a huge victory against regional terrorist networks and noted that it emboldens the government to deliver promise to secure citizens against internal and external aggression. “Our message to them is clear; you may sneak and attack innocent civilians but for any attack on Kenya and its people, we shall pursue you wherever you go,” he said while addressing the nation at Harambee House. Ruto singled out political leaders who have opposed to the ongoing security operations in Mombasa who he described as “sympathisers of the terror”.

Ill-fated bus was being commandeered to Somalia

23 Nov – Source: Standard Media – 916 words

Heavy rains pounding Mandera County saved the bus in which 28 people who were killed yesterday morning by Al Shabab militants from being driven to Somalia. Unknown number of attackers commandeered the bus as it was about to enter Arabia town, which is between Mandera town and Elwak. During the attack, the militants then drove three kilometres off the main road towards the Somali border. The border is roughly 20 kilometres off the Mandera-Wajir road.

They got stuck in a marshy part of the road and were lost for choice. “The bus passed here around 4.30 am as usual. After some time, we heard gunshots in the distance, It went on for some time then died off,” said Abdi Ahmed, a resident. Villagers said they could not venture out for fear of attack. They said in the last three months, attacks coming from Somalia side have persisted and they no longer sleep in their houses. “Once the sun sets, the whole of this villages slithers into the bush. We are tired. We cannot sleep in our homes because they attack us so often.

Kimaiyo orders armed escort for PSVs near Somalia

22 Nov – Source: Capital News – 413 words

Following the killing of 28 on a bus bound for Nairobi in Mandera, Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo has announced that all Public Service Vehicles plying that route will do so under armed escort. He said a joint security operation had also been mounted with the Kenya Defence Forces and intelligence officers to bring those behind the killings to book despite crossing the border into Somalia. Additional security personnel, he said, would also be deployed to the area to ward off a repeat attack.

“Textbook reactions, ” Mandera Governor Ali Roba said, that come a little too late for the 28 who lost their liveson Saturday morning when armed men waylaid the bus they were travelling on, reportedly separated those they believed to the heathen from Muslims and killed them. Especially when, Roba explained later on Saturday, he had warned the local police of increased terror activity along the border. Roba himself having survived an IED explosion in October. But Kimaiyo defended himself against the accusation that he was acting a little too late; denying that he had received any warnings from Roba.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali Islamists execute 28 non-Muslims on Kenyan bus

23 Nov – Source: Reuters.com – 505 words

UN slams deadly terrorist attack on bus in northern Kenya

23 Nov – Source: Xinhua – 219 words

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday condemned a terrorist attack on a commuter bus in northern Kenya that left at least 28 people dead, hoping that “those responsible for today’s attack will be brought to justice swiftly. The secretary-general condemns the terrorist attack this morning on a commuter bus in Mandera, Kenya,” said a statement issued here by Ban’s spokesman Saturday night. “The secretary-general pledges the continuing support of the United Nations to Kenya and the countries of the region in their multidimensional efforts to address the scourge of terrorism,” the statement said. Meanwhile, Ban also conveyed “his profound condolences to the families of the victims and expresses his solidarity with the people and the government of Kenya,” the statement added. Suspected Al-Shabaab militants attacked a bus earlySaturday. The bus was travelling to the capital, Nairobi, when it was stopped in Mandera county, not far from the Somali border. A statement on a website linked to the Islamist group said that the Saturday attack was staged in retaliation for security raids on mosques in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa earlier this week, reports said. Since Kenya sent troops across the border into Somalia in 2011, northern and parts of eastern Kenya have been hit by a series of blasts, with many targeting local security forces and humanitarian workers.

Twin Cities man killed in Somalia is remembered at St. Paul memorial

22 Nov – Source: Twincities.com – 348 words

A group of more than 75 people gathered at the Afton View Apartments in St. Paul to honor a man who gave his heart to the Twin Cities and his life for his native country.
Abdullahi Ali Anshoor, 64, of Brooklyn Park worked as property manager for the Battle Creek-area apartment complex for about 14 years, said co-worker Amy Berger, who helped organize the gathering. He was killedMonday in Mogadishu, Somalia, when armed militants from the Islamic extremist group al-Shabaab stopped his vehicle and sprayed it with bullets, police Capt. Mohamed Hussein told the Associated Press. Trained as an urban planner and civil engineer, Anshoor returned there last year with his wife to help the Mogadishu government with planning and drainage systems. “We are here to express our condolences to his family and to his friends,” said Said Ali of East African Community Link. “He was a great man. He was a father, a son … and the community at large is mourning his death.” Abdisalam Adam, a teacher at St. Paul’s Central High School and imam at Dar al-Hijrah mosque in Minneapolis, used to teach at Highwood Hills Elementary School, which is across the street from the Afton View Apartments.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

The HLPF in Copenhagen highlighted the extent of the international community’s support for Somalia. For this the Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, rightfully expressed his gratitude.

Copenhagen HLPF 2014: Somali on track but…..

21 Nov -Source: HOL – 745 words

The first annual Ministerial High Level Partnership Forum (HLPF) held in Copenhagen between 19-20 November and co-chaired by HE Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the President of the Federal Government of Somalia and the United Nations, has ended positively. We would like to sincerely thank the government and people of Denmark for hosting this historic event and the international community and various stakeholders in Somalia for actively participating in the discussions on all aspect of Somalia’s development. The HLPF communiqué is both promising and determined in its ambitions of continuing and furthering the successes the Somali government has achieved in the last two years. This is a welcome change and it is clear from all the evidence heard yesterday and today from the Somali President, his cabinet members as well as representatives of the international community that Somalia is finally heading in the right direction. What makes the Copenhagen summit unique in our eyes is that it was more than just simply pledges and a regurgitation of the problems Somalia faces.