September 20, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

AMISOM secures town 50 km from Kismayo

20 Sept – Source: AMISOM – 123 words

Somali government forces supported by AU troops have captured Janaa Cabdalla town, a stronghold of the Al Qaeda-affiliated terror group, al Shabaab, following a three-day operation. Janaa Cabdalla is located 50 kilometres to the west of the port city of Kismayo in the Lower Jubba region. The operation, which was conducted by the Kenyan contingent of AMISOM, also recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition.

Two AMISOM troops and five SNA soldiers sustained minor injuries and have been evacuated to Dobley for medical attention. “Securing Janaa Cabdalla will give AMISOM the ability to better protect the civilian population in the area as well as consolidate the security gains that have been achieved so far,” said the acting AMISOM Force Commander, Major General Karanja.

Key Headlines

Somali gov’t soldiers exchange gunfire in Beledweyne (Shabelle)
A security officer wanted for murder apprehended in Baladweyne (Radio Risaala)
Three killed as farmers clash with militants in Jowhar (Bar-Kulan)
British Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Office establishes presence in Hargeisa (Somaliland Press)
Al Shabaab resumes broadcasting in key Somali town (VOA)
Fighting erupts in parts of Gedo (Bar-Kulan)

PRESS RELEASE

AMISOM secures town 50km from Kismayo

20 Sept – Source: AMISOM – 123 words

SOMALI MEDIA

Districts attacked in Mogadishu

20 Sept – Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Shabelle – 101 words

On Thursday night, mortar shells attacked the Yaqshid and Bondere districts in Mogadishu. Residents who live in both districts heard the roars of shells hurled from unidentified places.The shells targeted civilians’ homes in the districts. At least 10 civilians were wounded in the shellings and a civilian was also wounded. No group has yet claimed the responsibility for the shelling.

Somali gov’t soldiers exchange gunfire in Beledweyne

20 Sept – Source: Shabelle – 111 words

Somali government soldiers exchanged gunfire in the central town of Beledweyne on Wednesday, killing at least one soldier and wounding several others, according to witnesses. Officials say that the fighting came as two government soldiers were on patrol over night and suspected each other in an apparent case of mistaken identity.

The incident caused the death of a soldier; the movement of the traffic and business in the areas was halted for a moment as the clash continued. The latest reports in the area say that the situation returned to normal on Thursday morning, after more government troops had interfered.

Three killed as farmers clash with militants in Jowhar

20 Sept – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 101 words

At least three farmers were killed and a dozen others injured in a clash between al Shabaab militants and local farmers at Mandera, Daymasame and Ba’adley villages in Jowhar district on Wednesday afternoon. The clash erupted after al Shabaab militants gave farming land owned by locals in these villages to outsiders, sparking outrage from the owners, according to local villagers.

There are reports of casualties on the militant side but the exact figure could not be established. Reports say militants retreated back to the bases after meeting stiff resistance from the armed local farmers who were opposed to what they called illegal land distribution.

Al Shabaab officer calls teenagers in Kismayo to attend the battle in Lower Jubba region

20 Sept – Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Kulmiye/Caasimada Online/Somaliweyn – 162 words

Fu’ad Mohamed Aden Qalaf (Fu’ad Shangole), one of al Shabaab’s top officers, has called the population in Kismayo to take weapons and join the battles against Somalia’s government backed by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The officer called in particular the teenagers in Kismayo to partake in what he called Jihad against the allied troops. “The population in Kismayo, particularly teenagers, are required to attend the war against the infidels; they should side with Jihad and defend the Islamic religion from the enemy” Fu’ad said to Andalus radio.

A security officer wanted for murder apprehended in Baladweyne

20 Sept – Source: Radio Risaala – 118 words

The head of the police in Baladweyne in Hiraan province said the security officer accused of committing a murder was apprehended yesterday in Baladweyne, Hiraan province. Abdi Dhuuh Abdi Mahadalle, head of government forces in Baladweyne in Hiiraan province said he apprehended the rogue police officer who committed murder yesterday. He said he is in custody and soon will be brought before the court of law so as to bring him to justice.

The commander also said the police will continue conducting security operations in Hiraan province especially Baladweyne until security in the region is assured. Baladweyne town in Hiraan province is under the control of government of Somalia, AMISOM and Ethiopian forces yet criminal incidents still happen in the region.

Galmudug asks traders to help crush illegal checkpoints

20 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan – 78 words

Galmudug regional administration has appealed to local traders and other stakeholders to help it remove illegal checkpoints along the road between Gelinsor and Galkayo where armed militias extort public transport vehicles.

The appeal was made on Wednesday in a meeting in Galkayo between local traders and the regional president and some of his cabinet ministers.
Galmudug’s Information Minister, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, was quoted as saying that local traders promised to support the administration in crushing these illegal checkpoints.

Sporadic missiles and artillery shells rain down on port city of Kismayu

19 Sept – Source: Raxanreeb – 203 words

Reports from the port city of Kismayo, the regional capital city of lower Jubba region say that sporadic rocket fire and missiles landed at Yaak Sanmoja location about 60km West of Kismayo. Local residents in the seaside of Kismayo told RBC that about 15 mortar shells rocked the outskirts of the city, hitting the mountains surrounding the city. No casualties were reported.

British Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Office establishes presence in Hargeisa

19 Source: Somaliland Press, by William Hague – 175 words

“I am pleased to inform the House that the British Office in Hargeisa opened formally on 3 September, in line with my intent to establish a presence in Mogadishu and Hargeisa as soon as local conditions allow. This office enables officials to stay in Hargeisa for short periods to carry out diplomatic work in Somaliland.

Because of the security situation, this office will not have any consular functions, and we have not changed our advice on travel to the region. Staff are already able to travel and stay in our office in Mogadishu, where work continues on plans to reopen the embassy as soon as local circumstances permit.

The new office in Hargeisa and future British embassy in Mogadishu are part of the expansion of Britain’s diplomatic network that I announced to the House on 4 September. This involves the opening of up to 11 new embassies, up to eight new British consulates/British trade offices and the redeployment of around 300 extra staff in more than 20 countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa.”

Ministry of Fisheries partners with World Bank, UN and major organizations to develop commercial fishing

19 Sept – Source: Somaliland Press – 168 words

Somaliland Minister of Fisheries and Marine resources Hon Abdillahi Jama Osman (Geeljire) today opened a one day conference on how to develop commercial fishing in the country in partnership with the World Bank and Other Major UN Organizations. In his opening speech, the Minister of Fisheries told representatives from the World Bank, FAO, WFP, UNDP: “we called you here today to share with you information as partners so as to find ways to develop this vital but underdeveloped sector”.

The Minister of Fisheries told the representatives of the present organizations that there was a need to develop a working methodology between his Ministry, the World Bank, UN and other major organizations so as to find ways to develop this sector.

Fighting erupts in parts of Gedo

19 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan – 102 words

Heavy fighting has erupted between Somali forces backed by allied Ahlu Sunna militias against al Shabaab militants at Birta-Dheer area of Garbaharey district, Gedo region. Ahlu Sunna spokesman Mohamed Hussein Issack told Bar-kulan that the fight erupted after militants ambushed a unit of their fighters who were on routine patrol, sparking deadly confrontation.

Issack says the fight still continues, adding that they could not tell the number of casualties suffered by both sides of the fight. Tension is now said to be building up in the area around the battle field where the two sides are engaged in a cut-throat fight.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somalia to honour fallen UPDF soldiers

20 Sept – Source: New Vision – 467 words

The Somalia Government will honour the blood shed by Ugandans to restore relative peace prevailing in Somalia and has enabled the Horn of Africa nation restart the democratization process, after over two decades of conflict.

“The tree of freedom, democracy and sovereignty of Somalia thrives from the blood of Ugandans who pioneered in the Liberation of this country,” Somali Parliament Speaker, Prof. Mohamed Osman Jawari stated.

“You are the soul of this country. Our Government and the people will never forget this fact and do pay tribute to the young boys and girls you sent here some of whom unfortunately lost their lives or got wounded,” Jawari pointed out, adding that the sweat of gallant Ugandan soldiers will not be in vain.

Kenya declares Kismayu fall imminent

20 Sept – Source: Daily Nation – 238 words

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has said the capture of Kismayu, the Somalia’s militia al-Shabaab stronghold is imminent. Military spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir said Thursday the Kenya Government has extended amnesty to Kenyans fighting in Somalia as al-Shabaab.

“The capture of Kismayu is imminent. Kenya Government extends amnesty to Kenyans fighting in Somalia as al-Shabaab. Retreat peacefully now,” he said. On Wednesday, African Union troops captured a key town near the port city of Kismayu, killing more than 50 Al-Shabaab militia in four days of fighting, the military said. KDF’s Colonel Cyrus Oguna confirmed the capture of Jana Abdalla, which is 40 km from Kismayu.

KDF, Amisom just 40km from Kismayu

20 Sept – Source: Standard – 234 words

Kenyan forces under the African Mission in Somalia (Amisom) backed by Somali troops and allied militia have captured a strategic town 40km from Kismayu.

The capture of Janaa Cabdalla came as Amisom continued its advance on the heavily fortified port regarded as the nal major stronghold of Al Shabaab in southern Somalia. Janaa Cabdalla, located on lower Juba region fell after three days of fighting.

“Its capture signifies a major milestone in Amisom’s offensive towards the liberation of the port city of Kismayu,” said colonel Cyrus Oguna, the Information Operations Officer of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

20 illegal Somali, Ethiopian aliens nabbed in Eastleigh, Nairobi

19 Sept – Source: Capital News – 440 words

Twenty three Somali and Ethiopian aliens were arrested in a security operation in Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate on Wednesday afternoon. The aliens were arrested following a tip-off from the public that a large group of foreigners had arrived in the estate earlier in the morning.

“They were arrested in a security operation. Such operations will continue to be carried out randomly,” Nairobi deputy police Chief Moses Nyakwama said.
He said the suspects will appear in court on Thursday to face various charges, including being in the country illegally because none of them possessed valid documents. A police officer involved in the operation told Capital FM News some of them had fake Somali passports and alien certificates.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Sierra Leone Colonel to Head Military Training in Somalia

20 Sept- Source: Sierra Express Media – 489 words

Col. Mamadi Mohamed Keita (in photo) of the Republic of Sierra Leone has been appointed the new Chief Training Officer of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), he also doubles as Sierra Leone’s national contingent commander in Somalia.

Col. Keita emerged the best officer among other officers from various African countries including Nigeria, Rwanda, Ghana, Kenya that applied for the position of Chief Training Officer based at AMISOM Forces Headquarters, Mogadishu, Somalia. Prior to his appointment he was the Director Defence Training, Education and Recruitment of the RSLAF.

Col. Keita will leave the shores of Freetown today to take to his new deployment in charge of all military and jungle training of AMISOM. While in Somalia he will be tasked also to train the Somalia Armed Forces. According to Ministry of Defence sources his assignment will last for a year but will be renewable annually.

Al Shabaab Resumes Broadcasting in Key Somali Town

19 Sept – Source: VOA News – 159 words

Somali militant group al-Shabaab has resumed radio broadcasts in the key port city Kismayo, vowing to fight to the death against pro-government forces poised to move in. The group’s radio station, Andalus, went back on the air Wednesday morning, two days after going quiet as government and African Union forces advanced on the town.

The al-Qaida-allied group urged residents in Kismayo — the militants’ largest remaining stronghold — not to flee and to remain calm. Witnesses reported seeing armed trucks belonging to al-Shabaab throughout Kismayo on Wednesday. Somali government and African Union forces, meanwhile, say they remain stationed about 60 kilometers outside the city and ready to move in.

Speaking to VOA from the front line, Somali military Colonel Warfa Sheikh Adan said forces could move in within hours, but said it may be days. He said residents need not fear allied troops. And he urged them to remain in the city but to stay away from al-Shabaab-controlled areas.

The last stand of al-Shabaab

20 Sept – Source: The Independent – 998 words

Abdirahim Sheikh joined al-Shabaab after they visited him on his farm in southern Somalia to tell him that “foreign invaders” were abusing the Koran. He says the next three years of his life fighting for the radical Islamic militia were unimaginably tough.

There was frequent bloody action on the front line and little or no care for the wounded who died in large numbers. But his morale only started to drop when he heard that fellow jihadists had killed worshippers at a mosque.

“If someone who is praying in a mosque can be killed then al-Shabaab are the infidels,” said the 30-year-old. Standing in Mogadishu’s ruined stadium, which the militia used as a training base during their long battle for the Somali capital, the farmer has switched sides and joined the war against them.

He decided to defect, he said, after seeing a friend executed in front of him. The man was accused of planning to defect and the commander slit his throat as a warning to the others. That warning backfired. “After that the defections became a flood,” said Abdirahim.

Somalia guerrilla artists dare to paint reality

19 Sept – Source: LA Times – 2000 words

The guerrilla artists come out in the darkness of the Mogadishu night. Three of them are old hands with a brush, but they’ve never been out on such a crazy mission at a time when sensible people stay indoors.

They gather for work in a converted garage, with a wildly paved floor and clutter of paint pots dribbling gaudy colors. Muhiyidin Sharif Ibrahim, 62, uses an old car seat as a chair, reflectively sharpening a pencil with a razor, then honing it to a perfect point by scraping it on the stone floor. He delicately sketches out his next work on a scrap of cardboard with his long, thin fingers. The artists paint by daylight, then load the canvases on a big truck and, with the help of students they’ve taken under their wing, plant them around the city.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Intelligence remains the biggest weapon in preventing terror attacks of the kind favoured by Al Shabaab, and the public can help by informing police of any suspicious activities or individuals. The police cannot be everywhere and Kenyans must take control of their security by co-operating with law enforcers.”

Public must remain vigilant against terror

20 Sept – Source: Standard – 247 words

It is necessary to remind all Kenyans to remain vigilant as our soldiers in the Africa Mission in Somalia (Amisom) prepare for assault on Kismayu. This is important after it emerged that only a mishap prevented terror suspects from fulfilling their suicide missions in Kenya last week: Their car broke down. Among their alleged targets were Parliament, churches and various other sites in Kisumu and Mombasa.

From all accounts, the police were fortunate – and thankfully so – to stumble upon the suspects and their deadly paraphernalia, including suicide vests similar to those used in the attempted attack on the new Somalia President and a Kenyan delegation.

Top tweets

@amisomsomalia #Somali government forces and #AMISOM troops capture Janaa Cabdalla town, following a 3 day operation. read more:http://bit.ly/R1Rv3m.

@dailynation #KDF DECLARES capture of #Kismayu is imminent; extends amnesty to Kenyans fighting in Somalia as Al-Shabaab and asks them to retreat.

@unictunis #Kenyan forces in #Somalia to try to minimize impact on civilians –@UN humanitarian official http://ow.ly/dQTRp @UNOCHA.

@BBCWorld Thousands flee from Kismayo in #Somalia, a stronghold of Islamist al-Shabab group, as Somali government forces advance http://bbc.in/PnDRpB.

@RefugeesMedia 2012 #Nansen Refugee Award, most prestigious humanitarian prize for #refugee work, goes to Somalia’s “Mama” Hawa http://bit.ly/OA3Mry.

@Oxfam Congrats to Hawa Aden Mohamed! Oxfam partner & winner of Nansen Refugee Award for her work empowering girls in #Somalia http://ht.ly/dQUjC.

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Image of the day

Image of the day Nansen Refugee Award winner Mama Hawa brings education to Somali women. Photo: UNHCR.