By Abdulaziz Billow Ali
A senior top Al-Shabaab commander was gunned down at close range at Somalia’s southern port of Kismayo on Saturday the 19th, sources say. Reports say that Sheikh Daud Ali Hassan was reportedly shot several times on the head and the chest by unidentified gunmen within the region regarded by many as an Al-Shabaab stronghold. Hizbul Islam denied having a hand in the killing, but said it would step up attacks on Dhobley after a raid on Friday night in which it said it killed a number of Al-Shabaab militants.
But the Al-Qaeda affiliated group said that it treats the incident as a planned assassination. Al-Shabbab has arrested many suspects in connection with the incident and the investigation is still ongoing. Hassan had led the Al-Shabaab fighters in the war against their rival groups in the border town of Dhobley, near Kenya.
Al-Shabaab (The Youth) and Hizbul Islam (Party of Islam) have been involved in bloody conflict over the control of southern regions including the port city of Kismayo. Despite their conflict, the two groups are jointly involved in the fight against the embattled Western-backed Somali government and African Union troops in the restive capital, Mogadishu.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Eritrea Denies Supporting Militant Groups in Somalia
By Abdulaziz Billow Ali
The government of Eritrea has quickly reacted to criticism from the United Nations that it is assisting the Somali militant group of Al-Shabbab and other insurgent groups that has been opposed to the transitional federal government allied to former UIC commander and current President of Somalia Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Late last year the United Nations imposed an arms embargo and other sanctions to Isaias Afewerki’s regime. The resolution was backed by 13 votes to 15. China abstained while Libya, the only Arab council member, voted against. The country suspended its membership of the African Union in protest at the call for sanctions in April.
In a report that is before the United Nations security general and is to be debated within this week, there are claims that Eritrea has deliberately continued supporting the extremists in the horn of Africa nation mostly in 2009. However in a counter attack on Monday, Eritrea’s Foreign Ministry described the allegation as “concocted, baseless and unfounded”, adding: “It is indisputable that Eritrea had not and would never extend any support to Somali armed groups. “The government of Eritrea challenges those quarters indulging in utterly baseless allegations through fabricating and disseminating naked lies in the name of the U.N.”
Eritrea repeated its call for hard evidence to be presented publicly and demanded an independent platform allowing it to respond. The UN has frequently expressed concern about the flow of arms in to Somalia, where hardliners Islamists of Al-Shabbab and Hizbul-Islam are battling with government forces for control of the capital Mogadishu. Somalia has been subject to a UN arms embargo for many years, but weapons are still freely available in the Mogadishu weapons market. Somalia has been without a functional government since 1991 after Mogadishu warlords toppled Siad Bare’s regime that has left the country in catastrophe.
The government of Eritrea has quickly reacted to criticism from the United Nations that it is assisting the Somali militant group of Al-Shabbab and other insurgent groups that has been opposed to the transitional federal government allied to former UIC commander and current President of Somalia Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Late last year the United Nations imposed an arms embargo and other sanctions to Isaias Afewerki’s regime. The resolution was backed by 13 votes to 15. China abstained while Libya, the only Arab council member, voted against. The country suspended its membership of the African Union in protest at the call for sanctions in April.
In a report that is before the United Nations security general and is to be debated within this week, there are claims that Eritrea has deliberately continued supporting the extremists in the horn of Africa nation mostly in 2009. However in a counter attack on Monday, Eritrea’s Foreign Ministry described the allegation as “concocted, baseless and unfounded”, adding: “It is indisputable that Eritrea had not and would never extend any support to Somali armed groups. “The government of Eritrea challenges those quarters indulging in utterly baseless allegations through fabricating and disseminating naked lies in the name of the U.N.”
Eritrea repeated its call for hard evidence to be presented publicly and demanded an independent platform allowing it to respond. The UN has frequently expressed concern about the flow of arms in to Somalia, where hardliners Islamists of Al-Shabbab and Hizbul-Islam are battling with government forces for control of the capital Mogadishu. Somalia has been subject to a UN arms embargo for many years, but weapons are still freely available in the Mogadishu weapons market. Somalia has been without a functional government since 1991 after Mogadishu warlords toppled Siad Bare’s regime that has left the country in catastrophe.
More Than 50 People Killed in Somalia Fighting
By Abdulaziz Billow Ali
Heavy fighting continued to rock Somalia capital of Mogadishu for the third day running, the fighting is between the Somalia insurgent group of Al-Shabab and the transitional federal government troops allied to sheikh sheriff sheikh Ahmed administration. The total number of deaths reported as at now stand at 50 and the casualties has reached 100 and more are still being reported. Witnesses sat that heavy shelling and gunfire between Al-Shabab and government forces in the north of the capital.
The war started in Wardigley district near the Somalia capital Mogadishu, sources say. Other towns that have witnessed the heavy fighting include Hawl-wadag, Wardigley, Hodan and most of the areas were the mortars targeted were the different sections of Bakara market. The UN estimates that 3.7 million Somalis, approximately half of the country’s population are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Somalia has been without a functional government since former President Siad Bare was toppled by Mogadishu warlords.
Heavy fighting continued to rock Somalia capital of Mogadishu for the third day running, the fighting is between the Somalia insurgent group of Al-Shabab and the transitional federal government troops allied to sheikh sheriff sheikh Ahmed administration. The total number of deaths reported as at now stand at 50 and the casualties has reached 100 and more are still being reported. Witnesses sat that heavy shelling and gunfire between Al-Shabab and government forces in the north of the capital.
The war started in Wardigley district near the Somalia capital Mogadishu, sources say. Other towns that have witnessed the heavy fighting include Hawl-wadag, Wardigley, Hodan and most of the areas were the mortars targeted were the different sections of Bakara market. The UN estimates that 3.7 million Somalis, approximately half of the country’s population are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Somalia has been without a functional government since former President Siad Bare was toppled by Mogadishu warlords.
E.U. to Train 2,000 Somali Troops
By Abdulaziz Billow Ali
The European Union will start training 2000 Somali troops in Uganda in May, a senior French army official said on Friday. Brigadier General Thierry Caspar-Fille-Lambie of the Djibouti based French forces said that the troops will be trained with the necessary military skills and know how to help in bringing the war torn Somalia back to its feet once again. The troops are to undergo military training in the Bihanga in western Uganda for six months. “As France was one of the countries stressing the need for the involvement of EU in training Somalia forces, around 30 French trainers shall be part of that mission,” said Lambie at the closing ceremony of four-week French operational training of 1,700Ugandan troops to be deployed in the lawless country in May for peacekeeping mission.
“The EU troops shall work in close collaboration with UPDF to train the Somali troops,” said Rene Forceville, the French Ambassador to Uganda. Lt. Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the commander of Uganda Land Forces said the best way to help pacify the Horn of Africa country is by training and equipping their troops. “We together with EU troops shall train them with the necessary skills to manage their own security,” said Wamala. The EU earlier this month agreed to set up a military mission in Uganda aimed at training up to 2,000 Somali troops, which will complement other training missions and bring the total number of
better- trained Somali soldiers to 6,000.
The mission led by Spain will closely coordinate with the African Union, the U.S. and the United Nations as well as with Somalia’s transitional government. Uganda and Burundi are currently the only countries contributing some 4,300 troops to the African Union’s peacekeeping mission in Somalia. Somalia has been without a functional government and civil strife since the overthrow of Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
The European Union will start training 2000 Somali troops in Uganda in May, a senior French army official said on Friday. Brigadier General Thierry Caspar-Fille-Lambie of the Djibouti based French forces said that the troops will be trained with the necessary military skills and know how to help in bringing the war torn Somalia back to its feet once again. The troops are to undergo military training in the Bihanga in western Uganda for six months. “As France was one of the countries stressing the need for the involvement of EU in training Somalia forces, around 30 French trainers shall be part of that mission,” said Lambie at the closing ceremony of four-week French operational training of 1,700Ugandan troops to be deployed in the lawless country in May for peacekeeping mission.
“The EU troops shall work in close collaboration with UPDF to train the Somali troops,” said Rene Forceville, the French Ambassador to Uganda. Lt. Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the commander of Uganda Land Forces said the best way to help pacify the Horn of Africa country is by training and equipping their troops. “We together with EU troops shall train them with the necessary skills to manage their own security,” said Wamala. The EU earlier this month agreed to set up a military mission in Uganda aimed at training up to 2,000 Somali troops, which will complement other training missions and bring the total number of
better- trained Somali soldiers to 6,000.
The mission led by Spain will closely coordinate with the African Union, the U.S. and the United Nations as well as with Somalia’s transitional government. Uganda and Burundi are currently the only countries contributing some 4,300 troops to the African Union’s peacekeeping mission in Somalia. Somalia has been without a functional government and civil strife since the overthrow of Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
Taiwanese Fishing Trawler Freed by Somali Pirates
By Abdulaziz Billow Ali
Somali pirates have on Thursday released a Taiwanese fishing trawler with its 12 crew members after the owners paid an estimated 220,000 US dollars, sources say. Ching Feng 168 with its Taiwanese captain Lin Hsin-sheng with his son and ten other mainland Chinese crew on April 20, demanding one million US dollars ransom. Sources say that the ship owner paid the money that was used by the crew members for their survival. The ship owner paid thousands of US dollars in September to cover the ‘living expenses’ of the crew, and in October persuaded the pirates to lower the ransom to 220,000 US dollars.
After the trawler was released, a US naval ship escorted it to Kenya to repair the ship’s equipment which had been smashed by the pirates. It’s the longest ship to be held hostage by the ransom hunting pirates in the pirate infested Gulf of Aden, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes hijacking commercial ships despite the presence of a multinational naval force.
Somali pirates have on Thursday released a Taiwanese fishing trawler with its 12 crew members after the owners paid an estimated 220,000 US dollars, sources say. Ching Feng 168 with its Taiwanese captain Lin Hsin-sheng with his son and ten other mainland Chinese crew on April 20, demanding one million US dollars ransom. Sources say that the ship owner paid the money that was used by the crew members for their survival. The ship owner paid thousands of US dollars in September to cover the ‘living expenses’ of the crew, and in October persuaded the pirates to lower the ransom to 220,000 US dollars.
After the trawler was released, a US naval ship escorted it to Kenya to repair the ship’s equipment which had been smashed by the pirates. It’s the longest ship to be held hostage by the ransom hunting pirates in the pirate infested Gulf of Aden, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes hijacking commercial ships despite the presence of a multinational naval force.
Somali Pirates Free UK-Owned Wheat Bulk Ship
By Abdulaziz Billow Ali
Somali pirates have on Wednesday released a UK-Owned Wheat Bulk Ship after it was seized on 22nd October 2009. A multi million ransom was said to have been paid according to a marine biologist from the central Somali coast. MV AL KHALIQ was seized on 22 Oct 2009, approximately 180 miles west of Seychelles. The crew consisted of twenty four Indian sailors and two Burmese nationals. Sources say that an estimated $3.1 million was paid to the pirates by the British ship owner.
The vessel with over 35,000 metric tons of wheat grain for Mombasa, Kenya has now sailed free from the Somali coast near Harardere with all crew on board apparently being fine, given the circumstances. The ship, however, had to be refuelled to reach Mombasa, where she is expected in around 5 day’s time. MT APLHA PINA was sent with fuel from Mombasa and is now escorting the vessel to the Kenyan port. The Gulf of Aden, off the northern coast of Somalia, has the highest risk of piracy in the world. About 25,000 ships use the channel south of Yemen, between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. Piracy has become a serious problem in the Gulf of Aden and the International Community is stepping up efforts to deal with the sudden surge. Undeterred by foreign naval missions, ransom-hunting pirates continued to launch more attacks on vessel and mainly in the Indian Ocean.
Somali pirates have on Wednesday released a UK-Owned Wheat Bulk Ship after it was seized on 22nd October 2009. A multi million ransom was said to have been paid according to a marine biologist from the central Somali coast. MV AL KHALIQ was seized on 22 Oct 2009, approximately 180 miles west of Seychelles. The crew consisted of twenty four Indian sailors and two Burmese nationals. Sources say that an estimated $3.1 million was paid to the pirates by the British ship owner.
The vessel with over 35,000 metric tons of wheat grain for Mombasa, Kenya has now sailed free from the Somali coast near Harardere with all crew on board apparently being fine, given the circumstances. The ship, however, had to be refuelled to reach Mombasa, where she is expected in around 5 day’s time. MT APLHA PINA was sent with fuel from Mombasa and is now escorting the vessel to the Kenyan port. The Gulf of Aden, off the northern coast of Somalia, has the highest risk of piracy in the world. About 25,000 ships use the channel south of Yemen, between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. Piracy has become a serious problem in the Gulf of Aden and the International Community is stepping up efforts to deal with the sudden surge. Undeterred by foreign naval missions, ransom-hunting pirates continued to launch more attacks on vessel and mainly in the Indian Ocean.
Focus on Eritrea as Somalia and Ethiopia Appeal for Action
By Abdulaziz Billow Ali
African leaders have condemned Eritrea for what they termed as “unfolding destabilizing nature” in the East African region. African Union leaders in their final day in Addis Ababa, said that the Afewerki’s regime is still busy with its negative activities in destabilizing regional peace and security. The governments of Djibouti and Somalia yesterday told the AU summit that, despite the imposed sanction on Eritrea, the Red Sea nation in defiance to the UN resolution, has continued to send insurgents via their territories.
The two countries urged the international community to establish strong organization for the enforcement of the sanctions to block the defiant acts of the Eritrean government. Just a day before the AU summit kicked off in Ethiopia, Eritrea had already warned that its issues were not to be discussed there and asked the AU to respect it as a member. “Should Ethiopia refuse to agree, Eritrea calls on the AU to stop holding further summits in Addis Ababa” Eritrean government statement said. The statement accused rival Ethiopia of obstructing Eritrea’s rights to take part in AU summits and other AU meetings that are held in Addis Ababa.
The sanctions have also laid travel ban and an asset freeze to Eritrean military and government officials. Last December, the UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo on Eritrea for illegally supplying arms to the suspected Al-Qaeda linked Islamist insurgent of Al-Shabaab, who are battling the internationally recognized transitional government of Somalia.
African leaders have condemned Eritrea for what they termed as “unfolding destabilizing nature” in the East African region. African Union leaders in their final day in Addis Ababa, said that the Afewerki’s regime is still busy with its negative activities in destabilizing regional peace and security. The governments of Djibouti and Somalia yesterday told the AU summit that, despite the imposed sanction on Eritrea, the Red Sea nation in defiance to the UN resolution, has continued to send insurgents via their territories.
The two countries urged the international community to establish strong organization for the enforcement of the sanctions to block the defiant acts of the Eritrean government. Just a day before the AU summit kicked off in Ethiopia, Eritrea had already warned that its issues were not to be discussed there and asked the AU to respect it as a member. “Should Ethiopia refuse to agree, Eritrea calls on the AU to stop holding further summits in Addis Ababa” Eritrean government statement said. The statement accused rival Ethiopia of obstructing Eritrea’s rights to take part in AU summits and other AU meetings that are held in Addis Ababa.
The sanctions have also laid travel ban and an asset freeze to Eritrean military and government officials. Last December, the UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo on Eritrea for illegally supplying arms to the suspected Al-Qaeda linked Islamist insurgent of Al-Shabaab, who are battling the internationally recognized transitional government of Somalia.
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