October 9, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Jubba, AU troops advancing on Jilib after deadly battle

08 Oct- Source: Garowe Online – 127 words

Jubba administration forces along with African Union peacekeepers have overrun Al Shabaab defence lines in Mugaanbow, Bangeenni and Baar Sanguuni areas in Lower Jubba region of southern Somalia enroute to the agriculture-rich town of Jilib on Wednesdaymorning according to officials. Adan Gojar-Jubba forces commander who spoke to Garowe Online by telephone has confirmed that the allied forces are advancing towards Kabsuma, 90 km north of southern port city of Kismayo and Jilib. Local reports say, Kenyan fighter jets also pummeled Al Shabaab positions during the pre-planned military offensive. Casualty figures have yet to be revealed to the media. Though Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab group severed Jilib telecommunication lines, Jubba and AMISOM forces headed to Jana Abdale as the operation continues to gain visible momentum for the third day.

Key Headlines

Somali foreign ministry closes dozen Somali embassies overseas (Radio Kulmiye/Radio RBC)
Jubba AU troops advancing on Jilib after deadly battle (Garowe Online/Jubba Times)
Police in Baidoa Apprehend al Shabaab Suspects (Radio Dalsan)
UAE distributes Qurban (Udhiyah) meat to IDPs in Somalia (Diplomat)
Police in Jowhar seize drugs (Mareeg Online/Radio Alsan)
Garbaharey conference enters its second day (Radio Goobjoog)
EU welcomes return of Baraawe in Somalia to army control (KUNA)
Kenya: Security agencies doing well says Interior Cabinet Secretary (Star-Kenya)
Areas in Mudug region receive moderate rainfall (Radio Goobjoog)
IGAD says trial of Kenya’s leader to weaken fight against Al-Shabaab (Shanghai Daily/Xinhua)
Tarik Hassane: British medical student arrested on terror charges may have just returned from Somalia(The Independent)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali foreign ministry closes dozen Somali embassies overseas

08 Oct- Source: Radio Kulmiye/Radio RBC – 99 words

Somali foreign ministry has closed ten Somali embassies overseas due to finance shortages. Abdirahman Dualle Bayle, Somalia’s minister of foreign affairs has for the first time disclosed that his ministry has closed at least ten Somali embassies abroad after the government has agreed on the issue. Dualle Bayle stated that this move came after the government has discussed on the issue and agreed on these embassies to be dismantled. Minister Abdirahman Dualle Bayle has earlier stated that the government will minimize the number of Somali embassies overseas. Bayle has reasoned this move due to finance shortages.

Jubba, AU troops advancing on Jilib after deadly battle

08 Oct- Source: Garowe Online/Jubba Times – 127 words

Jubba administration forces along with African Union peacekeepers have overrun Al Shabaab defence lines in Mugaanbow, Bangeenni and Baar Sanguuni areas in Lower Jubba region of southern Somalia enroute to the agriculture-rich town of Jilib on Wednesday morning according to officials. Adan Gojar-Jubaland forces commander who spoke to GO by telephone has confirmed that the allied forces are advancing towards Kabsuma, 90 km north of southern port city of Kismayo and Jilib. Local reports say, Kenyan fighter jets also pummeled Al Shabaab positions during the pre-planned military offensive. Casualty figures have yet to be revealed to the media. Though Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab group severed Jilib telecommunication lines, Jubaland and AMISOM forces headed to Jana Abdale as the operation continues to gain visible momentum for the third day.

Police in Baidoa apprehend al Shabaab Suspects

08 Oct- Source: Radio Dalsan- 58 words

Somali security forces together with AMSIOM inspected neighbourhoods in Baidoa town and arrested several al Shabaab suspects. Col. Mahad is a police officer in Baidoa. He told the media that they arrested at least 8 al Shabaab suspects. He said police are still trying to find more suspects. Police requested members of the public to assist them in keeping security.

Areas in Mudug region receive moderate rainfall

09 Oct – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 113 Words

Reports state that areas in Mudug region of Central Somalia received moderate rainfall, However, there was little or no rain in most of the central and Southern parts of the country. The rain fell in areas South of Mudug region that has been affected by the prolonged drought and acute water shortages as residents confirmed to the media outlets. This rain will have limited impact on the increasing dire water shortages that have seriously affected people and animals. Over ten people mostly children and elderly people died in Central Somalia regions due to thirst and hunger after the expected Gu’ rainfall delayed, this in turn facilitated hundreds of families to flee their houses.

UAE distributes Qurban (Udhiyah) meat to IDPs in Somalia

08 Oct – Source: Diplomat – 106 words

The Red Crescent of the United Arab Emirates has carried out a program in which it was participating Eid-happiness with the internally displaced people and poor families in Mogadishu by giving them raw meat in the past three days. The agency implemented this program of distribution in Banadir province, in particular, Hodan and Dharkenlay districts and over 4000 IDPs and poor families made use of it. Project manager of the UAE, Said Abdalla , said “We slaughtered 200 animals of cattle then we distributed to the internally displaced people and poor families in Mogadishu, we intended to share happiness with these people and we did so”.

Police in Jowhar seize drugs

08 Oct- Source: Mareeg Online/Radio alsan – 61 words

In an inspection, police in Jowhar seized drugs. Mohamed Ali Siyaad is the official in charge of Jowhar Police Station. He said they managed to capture the drugs and the drug dealers who had the intention of selling it in the environs of Jowhar. Other sources say police apprehended suspects of bomb attacks which were carried out in Jowhar last year.

Garbaharey conference enters its second day

09 Oct – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 192 Words

As Garbaharey conference entered its second day, the delegates representing the clans residing in the region continue reaching the area as our correspondent in Gedo region reports. Mohamed Adan Elmi, among the technical committee of the conference stated that there are more delegates expected to reach Garbaharey district, the headquarters of Gedo region to attend the consultation and determination conference. He reiterated the opening of Garbaharey conference came due to the will of the people in the region adding that the participants are opposing the concluded Juba reconciliation conference officially opened in Kismayo by president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Garbaharey conference opened on Tuesday as most of the participants including the organizers described the meeting as consultation and determination conference. The district commissioner of Garbaharey Iman Adow Karshe who spoke at the opening of the conference said the aim of the conference is to unify the people of Gedo region so as to achieve self reliance and gain political momentum.

REGIONAL MEDIA

EU welcomes return of Baraawe in Somalia to army control

08 Oct – Source: KUNA – 124 words

The EU Wednesday welcomed the success of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army in restoring control over the port city of Baraawe. Baraawe was the last stronghold under Al-Shabab control providing a key source of income from illegal charcoal trade, noted Michael Mann, spokesman for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton in a statement. “This is a significant success and an important step for the Federal Government of Somalia towards re-establishing territorial sovereignty,” he stressed.

Kenya: Security agencies doing well, says Interior Cabinet Secretary

08 Oct- Source: Star-Kenya- 291 words

Collaboration among security agencies has led to disruption of planned terror attacks and reduced crime, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku has said. Lenku appealed for more public support to security operatives to help in the war against crime and boost the country’s security. He said security is a critical component in national stability and sustainability of economic growth. Lenku said external security threats from terrorism, drugs and human trafficking created by political and social instability in neighbouring countries have heightened insecurity.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

IGAD says trial of Kenya’s leader to weaken fight against al Shabaab

08 Oct- Source: Shanghai Daily/Xinhua- 405 words

An East Africa’s mediation bloc on Wednesday called for the delay of the trial of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to allow his government to battle Al-Shabaab militants who still pose security threat in the region. The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim said the International Criminal Court (ICC) should post the proceedings to allow the East Africa region fight insurgents from Somalia. “We believe that this prosecution, should it be needed, must take place at the end of Kenyatta’s presidency. The evidence and witness statements can be taken and safely stowed away until then, ” said Maalim in a statement issued in Nairobi.

Tarik Hassane: British medical student arrested on terror charges may have just returned from Somalia

09 Oct – Source: The Independent (UK) – 749 Words

A medical student among four men arrested on suspicion of forming a terror cell in London is being investigated for whether he underwent bomb-making training in Syria and may have spent time in Somalia as recently as last month, The Independent can reveal.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“When I came back after a few days, in my home, there’s nobody there, and then I started to search for my family…I can’t stay here. I want to save my life…I’m making ravioli, garganelli, orrechiette and gnocchi…It’s nice, because I get this job and I have now experience to make pasta hand make pasta…I like it a lot.”

Sahro Mollim, 21 Year Old Somali Immigrant, Makes The Best Handmade Pasta In Chicago

09 Oct – Source: ABC7 Chicago/Warya Post – 3 Minutes

Making pasta by hand is a skill either learned over many years or passed down from generations of Italian cooks. But ABC7′s Steve Dolinsky says some of the best handmade pasta in Chicago is being produced by the hands of a 21-year-old Somali refugee. Sahro Mollim has only lived in Chicago a few months. She came here via Boston, and before that, a refugee camp in Nigeria, where she sewed and made clothing. Turns out one of the camp’s employees knows the owner of a successful Chicago restaurant group, and just like that, the fine motor skills that were once used to make scarves are now being put to use feeding dozens of hungry locals every night. She is just 21-years-old. But Mollim has lived a lifetime. Five years ago, while attending school in Somalia one day, war broke out. Her world suddenly changed.