Green Energy
It has been a while since my last post and I thought I would update you on the crisis in Mogadishu.
The leader of Somalia's Islamic movement has urged his countrymen to wage a "holy war" against Ethiopia. The call from Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, head of the consultative Union of Islamic Courts' Shura, came a day after Ethiopian troops moved into Baidoa, the seat of the UN-backed Somali government. Speaking on the Shabelle radio station on Friday, Aweys said Ethiopia deployed troops to the town 240km northwest of Mogadishu, to bolster what he described as a puppet regime. "They came to protect a government which they set up to advance their interests." He said Abdullahi Yusuf, the president and his longtime rival, has "been a servant of Ethiopia for a long time".
Call to arms
Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, chairman of the executive committee of the Supreme Islamic Council of Somalia, said: "Somalia is under attack and Somalis must defend their country. "Anybody who sides with Ethiopia will be considered a traitor."He was speaking from Mogadishu, the Somali capital, which the Islamists seized from a US-backed alliance of militia commanders last month.
Violation
The Islamists pulled back on Thursday, but the Somali Prime minister, Ali Mohamed Gedi, accused them of plotting to attack his government in violation of a truce and mutual recognition deal. The Ethiopian government continued to deny the presence of any Ethiopian troops in Somalia. A Somali government spokesman said: "This is absolute propaganda from the Islamists. There are no Ethiopian troops in Baidoa. Anybody with the evidence should come forward."
Out of proportion
But a senior Somali government security source said "a few" Ethiopian troops were in Baidoa. He said, however, that they were there to train Somali troops and were not an occupying or protective force. "The media and Mogadishu-based Islamists have blown the matter out of proportion," he said. "No Ethiopian troops are here to occupy Somalia. "As a friendly neighbouring country, they will assist the government to form its own forces."
In another development, a second cargo plane has landed in Mogadishu, fuelling speculation that the Islamists are receiving weapons in violation of a UN arms embargo. The plane is the same one that touched down in Mogadishu on Wednesday and credible sources said that flight originated in Eritrea carrying anti-aircraft guns, uniforms, AK47s and several senior Eritrean officers.
- Us Air Force Getting It Done...
I see other posts on the encouraging situation in Somalia. One point not discussed is the ability of the US Air Force to launch global strike missions relatively instantaneously to mission command. Let's all keep this fact in mind when considering...
- New Flag Added
One of my blog sidebars has flags of nations at active war with Islam, under the caption, "Together In This War". I just added a new flag: The Flag of Ethiopia Here's why: Ethiopian forces launch counterattack in Somalia, Jihad Watch, December 24,...
- Worshipping The Wrong Idol In The Horn Of Africa
More trouble brewing in the Horn of Africa. This corner of the world tends to receive only sporadic attention in the western media… maybe it’s time to start paying much more attention. Courtesy of afrol news: 17 October - An internal document shows...
- Al Qaida Now Controls Somalia
For those who have eulogized Al Qaida, here's some disturbing news: The commander of the Islamic militia that took control of the capital of Somalia is an Al Qaida fugitive. Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, believed to be 64, is no stranger to the U.S....
- War On Terror Reaches Somalia
Since the 11 September attacks on the United States Somalis have feared that their lawless country could become the setting for a battle between US-backed anti-terror forces and al-Qaeda sympathisers. Now it seems as though their worst fears may be coming...
Green Energy
The Crisis in Mogadishu
It has been a while since my last post and I thought I would update you on the crisis in Mogadishu.
The leader of Somalia's Islamic movement has urged his countrymen to wage a "holy war" against Ethiopia. The call from Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, head of the consultative Union of Islamic Courts' Shura, came a day after Ethiopian troops moved into Baidoa, the seat of the UN-backed Somali government. Speaking on the Shabelle radio station on Friday, Aweys said Ethiopia deployed troops to the town 240km northwest of Mogadishu, to bolster what he described as a puppet regime. "They came to protect a government which they set up to advance their interests." He said Abdullahi Yusuf, the president and his longtime rival, has "been a servant of Ethiopia for a long time".
Call to arms
Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, chairman of the executive committee of the Supreme Islamic Council of Somalia, said: "Somalia is under attack and Somalis must defend their country. "Anybody who sides with Ethiopia will be considered a traitor."He was speaking from Mogadishu, the Somali capital, which the Islamists seized from a US-backed alliance of militia commanders last month.
Violation
The Islamists pulled back on Thursday, but the Somali Prime minister, Ali Mohamed Gedi, accused them of plotting to attack his government in violation of a truce and mutual recognition deal. The Ethiopian government continued to deny the presence of any Ethiopian troops in Somalia. A Somali government spokesman said: "This is absolute propaganda from the Islamists. There are no Ethiopian troops in Baidoa. Anybody with the evidence should come forward."
Out of proportion
But a senior Somali government security source said "a few" Ethiopian troops were in Baidoa. He said, however, that they were there to train Somali troops and were not an occupying or protective force. "The media and Mogadishu-based Islamists have blown the matter out of proportion," he said. "No Ethiopian troops are here to occupy Somalia. "As a friendly neighbouring country, they will assist the government to form its own forces."
In another development, a second cargo plane has landed in Mogadishu, fuelling speculation that the Islamists are receiving weapons in violation of a UN arms embargo. The plane is the same one that touched down in Mogadishu on Wednesday and credible sources said that flight originated in Eritrea carrying anti-aircraft guns, uniforms, AK47s and several senior Eritrean officers.
- Us Air Force Getting It Done...
I see other posts on the encouraging situation in Somalia. One point not discussed is the ability of the US Air Force to launch global strike missions relatively instantaneously to mission command. Let's all keep this fact in mind when considering...
- New Flag Added
One of my blog sidebars has flags of nations at active war with Islam, under the caption, "Together In This War". I just added a new flag: The Flag of Ethiopia Here's why: Ethiopian forces launch counterattack in Somalia, Jihad Watch, December 24,...
- Worshipping The Wrong Idol In The Horn Of Africa
More trouble brewing in the Horn of Africa. This corner of the world tends to receive only sporadic attention in the western media… maybe it’s time to start paying much more attention. Courtesy of afrol news: 17 October - An internal document shows...
- Al Qaida Now Controls Somalia
For those who have eulogized Al Qaida, here's some disturbing news: The commander of the Islamic militia that took control of the capital of Somalia is an Al Qaida fugitive. Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, believed to be 64, is no stranger to the U.S....
- War On Terror Reaches Somalia
Since the 11 September attacks on the United States Somalis have feared that their lawless country could become the setting for a battle between US-backed anti-terror forces and al-Qaeda sympathisers. Now it seems as though their worst fears may be coming...