Somalia thread for the week ending February 27

Still early, but this is sounding like a botched rescue attempt

CNN: Official: Hijacked American yacht getting closer to Somalia

CNN, Feb. 22, 2011 -- The American yacht that was hijacked by pirates last week is less than two days off the Somali coast, a military official said Tuesday.

The vessel is being shadowed by the military in those waters, the official said.

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On Monday, a senior military official said a U.S. Navy warship and helicopters were trailing a boat believed to be the one that was hijacked by Somali pirates.

U.S. officials have not identified the people on board the ship, but have confirmed that four U.S. citizens are involved.

U.S. officials have made no further comment on the situation since Rear Adm. Charles Gaouette, deputy commander of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, said Saturday that the government is evaluating its options.

Another U.S. official, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the situation, said previously that the United States were determining what military assets were in the region and the capabilities of the personnel onboard. The official said that the pirates are believed to be on board the yacht with the Americans, and the next step would be to determine whether the military could keep the yacht from reaching the shore -- either by blocking or harassing it.

Parallels come to mind here with the situation surrounding the "rescue" of Captain Richard Phillips, where all efforts were expended to prevent the that lifeboat from reaching shore. In that episode, the lifeboat had to be dragged back out toward sea, during negotiations, in order for SEAL marksmen on another vessel to take out the three Somalis. The military then disseminated an incompleted and misleading narrative of the events to the media, which has persisted since. In this one, it sounds like somebody got a bead on two Somalis during a period of negotions as the yacht neared land.

Reuters: Pirates shoot dead four American hostages-US military

The sequence of events was not immediately clear, but the U.S. military's Central Command said the dead hostages were only discovered after U.S. forces responded to gunfire and boarded the pirated yacht, known as the Quest.

"As they responded to the gunfire, reaching and boarding the Quest, the forces discovered all four hostages had been shot by their captors," the U.S. military's Central Command said in a statement.

"Despite immediate steps to provide life-saving care, all four hostages ultimately died of their wounds."

The military, which said the incident took place at about 1 a.m. EST/0600 GMT, had been monitoring the Quest since discovering it had been taken over by pirates for about three days. It said negotiations to secure the release of the Americans had been under way when the gunfire broke out.

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Two Somali pirates spoke with Reuters by telephone on Tuesday.

"Our colleagues called us this morning, that they were being attacked by a U.S. warship," a pirate who identified himself as Mohamud told Reuters.

"The U.S. warship shot in the head two of my comrades who were on the deck of the yacht by the time they alerted us," Mohamud said. "This is the time we ordered the other comrades inside yacht to react -- kill the four Americans because there was no other alternative -- then our line got cut."

"The killing of those four Americans and our comrades is a fair game that has started. Everybody will react if his life is in danger. We should not agree to be killed and let the hostages be freed," a pirate called Hussein told Reuters from Hobyo, another Somali coastal pirate haven.

Bloomberg:

Vice Admiral Mark Fox, commander of the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet, told reporters at the Pentagon by telephone from Bahrain the boarding party was U.S. special operations forces. They met no resistance at first. However, during the search of the vessel they killed two pirates, one in a knife fight and the other by gunshot, and they found two others already dead, Fox said. The Navy took 13 pirates into custody, he said.

The U.S. commandos were launched in small boats after the pirates fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a U.S. warship 600 yards away and gunfire was heard on the yacht, Fox said.

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The deadly end came as negotiations were continuing, Fox said. Yesterday, two pirates had come aboard the USS Sterett for talks.

“There were ongoing negotiations that had continued for a number of days and this morning, with absolutely no warning, is when the rocket-propelled grenade was fired and the gunfire erupted on board the yacht,” Fox said.

Yachting Monthly: Yacht deaths: who fired first?

Only minutes before the military announced that the four Americans had died, a Somali pirate told The Associated Press by phone that if the yacht were attacked, 'the hostages will be the first to go.'


'Some pirates have even suggested rigging the yacht with land mines and explosives so as the whole yacht explodes with the first gunshot,' said the pirate, who gave his name as Abdullahi Mohamed, who claimed to be a friend of the pirates holding the four Americans.

...

Mohamed, the pirate in Somalia, told AP that pirate leaders had been expecting the yacht to make landfall soon.

Five cars full of pirates were headed toward the pirate dens of Eyl and Gara'ad in anticipation of the Quest reaching land Monday, he said. Had the four reached land, they may have faced a long hostage ordeal like the 388 days that the British sailing couple Paul and Rachel Chandler spent in the hands of pirates. The two were released in November.

Expect more 'unofficial' details to fall out from this story since there are survivors and more interest in the yacht's victims.

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From Samir Amin's Is there a solution to the problems of Somalia?

Unresolved chaos looms on the prolonged visible horizon in Somalia. This does not bother the Western powers, nor the neighbours.

But will the ‘Somali people’ be able, by themselves, to ‘get out’? One isn't forbidden to doubt this. Examples of people engaged in fatal destruction do exist in history. Even imagining that the same powers and neighbours let things evolve by themselves in Somalia – which is by no means guaranteed – the forces in place in the country are all unable to rebuild the state and nation. Islamic movements are not better placed in this light that the clan directors and warlords. This particular Islam which proposes political Islam in all its diverse organisations (‘extremist’ or even ‘terrorists’ and ‘moderate’, so called) is definitely an obscurantist Islam, unable to help understand the nature of contemporary world challenges. It is a version of Islam at the service of primitive and brutal forms of exploitation of the weak (‘the people’) by the ‘strong’ (the ruling cliques who exploit the use of religion). And these ‘strong’ are nothing but transmission belts for the country's integration into the global system dominated by the monopolies of the Triad (USA, Europe, Japan). The Somalian ‘small market’ provides no means of resistance to this domination, and the leaders of Islamic movements may not even be aware of this.

But the possibilities of crystallisation of a new ‘progressive’ force which could understand it are weak, since the chances of developing a model of ‘enlightened despotism’ of the first Syad Barre have been ruined.

That's why I expressed the view that, even if an ‘agreement’ was able to be achieved by the forces acting on the ground (clans, warlords, Islamist movements), or even if one of them was able to prevail militarily (and both assumptions are unrealistic), no viable solution would emerge. The specific developments presented by Afyare in his book, including his detailed history of conflicts, in themselves demonstrate that there is nothing to expect from the mix of forces who occupy the Somali scene.

So? Could the ‘international community’ impose another solution? I seriously doubt it. First, because this self-proclaimed ‘international community’ is nothing but Washington, supported by its subordinate allies in Europe and Japan. And Washington is not bothered by the chaos in Somalia – it is even useful for the reasons I have given.

In addition, even in the event of some odd reason which would call for intervention (unlikely in my opinion), and even if Washington decided, the US is effectively unable to manage this challenge successfully. The Washington establishment is, on this level, close to the void – composed of ‘elites’ unable to understand societies of the Planet other than their own. The difference that separates them on this plan from the ruling classes of colonial empires is huge. The ability of the UN to intervene, the only legitimate institution to speak for the ‘international community’, is nullified by its submission to the wishes of the G7 (led by the United States).

The only possible solution to the chaos in Somalia would come from the African community, especially a community that could be formed by the countries of the region. The proposals made some time ago by Fidel Castro thus appear a clear possibility.

But here again, conditions are not what they were at the time these proposals were made. In the present state of things, Addis Ababa is not interested in rebuilding a viable Somali state. Ethiopia is, and will remain, the centre of gravity of the region. It is the only state worthy of the name by its size and by the tradition of its political culture. This was proven by the failure to split the country on 'ethnic' grounds as envisioned by Washington. This project has not been defeated by the current alliance between the rebels of Tigray and Eritrea (and again in conflict with Asmara!), an alliance rallied for a moment by the projected dismemberment of Ethiopia. It was defeated by the ‘people’ of Ethiopia, however vague that term. An Ethiopian renaissance remains, therefore, possible. I would say even probable, if not certain. Although the formulation may seem a paradox, the reconstruction of a viable Somali state depends largely on the rebirth of a united Ethiopia, strong, independent, able to move forward in a line of popular development, an Ethiopia able therefore to take initiatives and lead the other countries of the region in this line.

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Re the story on the death of the hostages, on Tuesday White House press secretary Jay Carney acknowledged that

The President did, over the weekend on Saturday, authorize the use of force in the case of imminent -- of an imminent threat to those hostages, and that’s -- for other details I can refer you to the Defense Department.

If you recall from the episode with Captain Phillips, reports at the time clearly stated that Obama twice approved force to rescue hostage

President Barack Obama twice authorized the military to rescue a U.S. captain who was being held by Somali pirates and whose life appeared to be at risk, administration official said after Sunday's rescue.

The Defense Department twice asked Obama for permission to use military force to rescue Capt. Richard Phillips from a lifeboat off the Somali coast. Obama first gave permission around 8 p.m. Friday, and upgraded it at 9:20 a.m. Saturday. Officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations said the second order was to encompass more military personnel and equipment that arrived in the Indian Ocean to engage the pirates.

Los Angeles Times:

Liban Muse, a member of the pirate group involved in the incident, told The Times in a telephone interview from the Somali coast that the U.S. military fired first.

"We had no intention of killing the hostages until the Americans began shooting at us," Muse said. "Our preference is only to take ships and ransom money, not to kill. But governments are targeting and killing our people."

NYT:

When the two pirates boarded the U.S.S. Sterett off the coast of Somalia on Monday, American officials thought they were headed for a breakthrough in the four-day standoff with a gang that had seized four Americans vacationing on their 58-foot yacht.

But an F.B.I. hostage-rescue negotiator aboard the Sterett came to believe the two Somalis were not serious. So the Americans took them into custody and told the pirates back on the yacht to send over someone they could do business with.

What happened next is sharply contested and raises questions about the crucial decision to detain the pirate leaders.

American officials said the pirates on the yacht, called the Quest, seemed relieved — even “exceptionally calm” — when told their senior commander was cooling his heels in a Navy brig.

But hours later, panic ensued among young pirates. Some Americans theorized that a fight had broken out among the gang members, suddenly leaderless, and fearing they were about to be overtaken by the four Navy warships that surrounded them. One person who has talked to associates of the pirates said their leader had told them that if he did not return, they should kill the hostages, though American officials say they do not know that to be the case.

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On Monday, the two pirates boarded the Sterett, which had pulled within 600 yards of the Quest, to conduct face-to-face negotiations, apparently knowing that it was unlikely they could get away with the yacht or its passengers. One of the pirate negotiators was a seasoned commander, who had several successful hijackings under his belt, according to one person who has regular contacts with pirate cells.

The F.B.I. agent involved was a hostage negotiator from a special team based at Quantico, Va., who was experienced in both domestic and international hostage crises, a law enforcement official said Wednesday. It was unclear whether the agent had ever negotiated with Somali pirates.

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“While the pirates clearly knew, from the beginning of our negotiations, that we were not going to allow the Quest to make shore, they gave no warning, no visible signs whatsoever that the hostages’ lives were in danger,” said the military official. The senior law enforcement official added, “These incidents, by their very nature, often move at a rapid pace which requires difficult decisions in real time.”

AFP: US navy killed hostages, say pirates

“We got information that the American hostages were killed after the US navy stormed the yacht,” a senior commander from the pirate lair of Garacad, in Somalia's northern self-declared state of Puntland, said.

“They tried to rescue the hostages but unfortunately heavy gunfire was exchanged and they (the hostages) died as a result,” the pirate, who asked to be named only as Ali, told AFP.

He did not further elaborate on the exact circumstances of the four hostages' death.

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Abdi Yare, a top commander in Hobyo, currently the main piracy hub in Somalia, rejected the US military's version of events, stressing that pirates have only ever been after ransoms and never shoot their hostages unprovoked.

“We are very surprised by the news of the hostages' death,” he told AFP by phone, adding that a scenario in which the hostages were killed by US bullets should not be ruled out.

“What I know is that pirates would never gun down their hostages without a reason and it can't be ruled out that they were caught in the crossfire,” said the pirate boss.

“The Americans have attempted reckless rescue operations before and now they have done it again,” he said.

CNN: Source: U.S. officials detained pirate negotiators before hostage exec

Before two pirate leaders departed the captured yacht where they held four Americans earlier this month, a maritime source says they left instructions: Kill the hostages if we do not come back from negotiations.

U.S. officials later took the two negotiating pirates into custody -- a move that goes against standard negotiation practices, the maritime source said.

The four Americans were later killed, but it is not clear why.

Also not clear is when during the negotiations -- or why -- the Americans detained the two pirate negotiators.

The pirates' detention goes against standard negotiating practices, as the pirates came in good faith to make a deal to hand over the hostages, said the maritime source, who was briefed on the incident and has connections to British intelligence officials.

The source asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation.

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..a U.S. government official told CNN the talks with the two pirate negotiators faltered when it was determined the men "had no authority to negotiate anything." American officials then took the men into custody rather then let them return to the yacht, the U.S. official said.

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Now tell me, really, which area harbors more "foreigners" - the estimated 200-400 or so militants joined in the insurgency or the 8,000 foreign fighters that make up AMISOM, as well as all the private contractors, consultants, international NGO personnel and even the technocrats that make up the very TFG government, including the PM?

Shabelle Media: Somali MP: AMISOM has the right to shell insurgent positions

Somali MP on Wednesday said that African Union peacekeepers in Somalia known as AMISOM have the right to shell with artillery bombardments to the areas which are not under TFG control.

Sheikh Nur Ali Adam, Somali parliamentarian told Shabelle that there many foreigners in the areas under the control of Al Shabaab and they must be shelled.

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Shabelle Media: Somalia govt starts military operations against Al shabaab: official

The transitional federal government of Somalia started extensive military operations against Al shabaab fighters, minister of defense said on Wednesday.

Abdihakim Hajji Mohamoud Fiqi, Somalia’s minister of defense said the government is engaged planned offensive to clear Al shabaab from Somalia

The minister stressed that the planned offensive is very extensive and started in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia and other regions of the country.

Garowe Online: AMISOM Seize Militant Strategy Districts, Clashes Killed 20 in Somalia

Witness said the government soldiers backed by A.U and AMISOM are controlling the new positions, seized several Al-Shabaab armed vehicle.

However, at least 40 people, mainly soldiers were killed and 70 others were also wounded in fresh clashes of capturing positions in different parts of the Horn of African nation.

Witnesses told Garowe online reporter that the fighting erupted in Beled weyn and Beled hawo, strategic towns in Southern Somalia, bordering Kenya and Ethiopia, killed 15 people and injured dozens others.

African Union peacekeeping foreign fighter troops spokesman, Maj. Barigye Ba-hoku said many casualties mostly AU soldiers were seen in clashes.

Mogadishu Man writes on Wednesday

The Prime Minister, ‘Farmaajo’ who spoke to the local radio stations earlier this morning claimed that all Al-Shabab fighters have been pushed out of Mogadishu and were fighting from Balacad - a small town about 30 KM North of Mogadishu. By noon, however, the Islamists rebutted the Prime Minister’s ‘ludicrous’ claims and displayed the bloody corpses of several Burundian [peacekeepers foreign fighters], complete in their military attire, to the media.

AP: Somali militants display bodies of 5 dead peacekeepers foreign fighters, hold Burundian soldier captive

Somali militants said Wednesday they had paraded the bodies of five African Union peacekeepers foreign fighters killed in fighting and also were holding a soldier from Burundi captive after intense battles in the capital.

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A Nairobi-based diplomat who quoted defence sources in Mogadishu said reports indicated that up to 10 African Union troops were killed and dozens were wounded in Wednesday's fighting. The diplomat said he could not be quoted by name because his organization does not allow it.

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"Our troops have recently been in preparations for war. They started the operation today and successfully defeated the enemy," Somali President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed told reporters. "We are requesting the world to help us in fighting the terrorists in Somalia."

Reuters: Somali militants kill six peacekeepers foreign fighters in single day

Somali rebels killed six Burundian peacekeepers foreign fighters during an offensive against Islamist insurgents, Burundi's army said on Thursday, one of the force's heaviest losses in a single day.

The peacekeepers foreign fighters died in fighting in the Somalian capital Mogadishu on Wednesday. They were supporting Somali government troops who seized three militant bases along the city's industrial road that leads to the Bakara market, one of the main strongholds of the al Shabaab Islamist militant group.

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"AMISOM and Burundi deplore the death of six peacekeepers foreign fighters and twelve others who were injured during the operation," Burundi's army said in a statement.

Lieutenant Colonel Jastace Ciza, a spokesman for the Burundian troops, said all six dead peacekeepers foreign fighters were from the central African nation. Burundi has deployed four battalions to the anarchic Horn of Africa nation. Ugandans make up the majority of the 8,000-strong force.

NYT: Fighting Spreads in Somalia as Troops Move Against Insurgents

Fierce fighting broke out across Somalia on Thursday along several different fronts, as African Union peacekeepers foreign fighters, Somali government soldiers, allied militias and Ethiopian troops opened a multipronged offensive against radical Islamist insurgents.

The peacekeepers foreign fighters fought house to house in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, pushing back insurgents but taking heavy losses, according to African Union officials.

On the Ethiopian border, residents said that Ethiopian tanks had rolled into battle and shelled positions belonging to the Shabab, the country’s main militant Islamist group.

And in southern Somalia, a militia allied with the transitional Somali government attacked insurgents while Kenyan troops tried to seal the border between the countries, a Western security adviser said.

According to the adviser, who was not authorized to speak publicly, the fighting adhered to a longstanding plan: to spread the insurgents thin and attack them in several places at once.

Shabelle Media: Somali govt to designate Indha’ade as a general in Somali army

The transitional federal government of Somalia is to designate Sheikh Yusuf Mohammed Siad, the leader of Hizbul Islam, as general in the Somalia army as Mogadishu witnesses heavy clashes between Somali government and Al shabaaab.

Yusuf Indha’ade had worked with government led by Omar Abdirashid former prime minister as the state minister of defense.

After the prime minister resigned in September, Inda’ade declared that his faction of Hizbul Islam pulled out from Somali government.

Sources told Shabelle that the declaration is to occur in the hours to come.

Subsequently, Shabelle has made contacts to Yusuf Inda’ade and confirmed that he is part of Somali government.

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ENA: Ethiopian premier confers with US delegation

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said the role of US to ensure peace and stability in the Horn of Africa is considerable.

While conferring with US delegation led by the Oklahoma Senator James M Inhofe here on Thursday [24 February] the premier lauded the US government cooperation towards ensuring peace and stability in the region.

Prime Minister Meles noted that US support should be continued to ensure dependable peace and security in the area, according to an official from the ministry of foreign affairs.

Shabelle Media: Ethiopian military pounds excessive shelling on Belet-hawo border town

Reports emanating from Gedo region in southern Somalia on Friday said that Ethiopian military forces in region commenced shell Belet-hawo, a town in Somalia’s border with Kenya, with heavy artillery barrages.

People are reportedly fled from the town as Al shabaab fighters are trying to fight off pro-government forces backed by Ethiopian military from entering the town of Belet-hawo.

Neighborhoods of the town are said to have been deserted as its inhabitants fled to Kenya’s Mandhere district.

and

Bitter battle between pro-government forces, Moderate Ahlu Sunna Waljama’ ASWJ backed by Ethiopian military and Al shabaab fighters broke out in the town of Belet-hawo that lies the border between restive Somalia and Kenya.

The fighting started after forces from Ethiopian military started shelling the border town of Belet-hawo in Gedo region in southern Somalia with heavy artily bombardments.

Moved from Dolow district, Somalia’s TFG forces, Ahlu Sunna Ahlu Sunna are now fighting with Al shabaab fighters in Gedo region to stake over the strategic border town.

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Mareeg Online: Somali president boycotts parliament verdict

Somali president, Sheikh Sharif Sh. Ahmed has completely boycotted Somali parliamentarians’ decision on which they have extended parliament term to other three years, reports said.

Sheikh Sharif Sh. Ahmed, held press conference in the capital Mogadishu saying that mps verdict was impossible and could not be accepted, but he indicated that it was better to have decision negotiated.

Sheikh Sharif pointed the verdict to be hast one and refused it...

Shabelle Media: Somali parliament: We’ll not go back from our decision

The speaker of Somali transitional federal parliament on Friday opposed comments from Somali Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed who asked he parliament to review their decision to extend their own mandate for three years.

In a press conference in Mogadishu, Sharif Hasan Sheikh Adam, the speaker of Somali parliament said the majority of the parliamentarians voted the mandate extension unanimously.

Hassan spelled that what they reached is based on the constitution and will not be return accentuating that the decision of the transitional parliamentarians was legal agreed together by the MPs.

The statement of parliament comes days after Somali president demanded lawmakers to meet and review the own decision that drew international community condemnations.

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UNHCR: Displaced Somalis cornered by latest fighting

UNHCR is alarmed by a new escalation of violence this week in several parts of south central Somalia. We are particularly worried for the civilian population caught up in what appears to be a coordinated offensive against Al-Shabaab militants on multiple fronts, namely in Mogadishu, Beled Weyne in Hiiraan region, and Beled Hawo in the Gedo region.

On Wednesday, African Union (AMISOM) and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops launched an offensive against Al-Shabaab positions in the Dayniile and Hodanin neighbourhoods of Mogadishu. At the same time, Ethiopian forces and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa militia aligned to the transitional government have undertaken a coordinated push against Al-Shabaab militias from Beled Weyne, in Central Somalia. The same forces also attacked Al-Shabaab in the town of Bulla Hawo close to the border with Kenya and Ethiopia.

Around 300 Somalis have crossed into Kenya over the past few days to escape the fighting, and we have received reports from them of many injuries. Other civilians, including women, children and the elderly, remain trapped and unable to reach safety.

UNHCR fears that displaced Somalis could be squeezed on three fronts, unable to escape and seek refuge in either Ethiopia, Kenya or in Somalia's northern Puntland region. We again urge all armed groups and forces in Somalia to avoid targeting civilian areas and to ensure that civilians are not being placed in harm's way.

New Vision: AMISOM captures al-Shabaab bases

“We constantly fire into their positions to stop them from taking aim,” said Lt. Col. Francis Chemonges.

Chemonges was in charge of AMISOM Battle Group Five, which was in charge of the key frontline areas.

AMISOM has snipers strategically placed in tall buildings around the city for this purpose.

AP: Clashes in Somalia: Gov't begins long-awaited push

Dozens have died in the push this week against the al-Shabab insurgent movement by 8,000 African Union peacekeepers foreign fighters and thousands more Somali forces in the capital whose training and upkeep have been financed by the United States and the European Union.

In the capital Mogadishu, at least 39 civilians have been killed and more than 120 wounded in four days of fighting, said Ali Muse, the chief of Mogadishu's ambulance service.

...

"I could not bear with that fighting because tanks and mortars were being fired indiscriminately," said Mohamed Hassan, one of hundreds of Mogadishu residents who fled to refugee camps outside the capital.

Mogadishu Man writes on Friday

There has been heavy shelling since last night in the capital. The Bakara market, the city’s largest business hub, has seen a reduced activity as the shelling continued and roads leading to the market have been blocked off because of the fighting. The battles are expected to escalate and the population here is bracing itself for more violent days to come.

MSF: Somalia: New Offensive Causes Scores of Casualties

As fierce fighting continues between Somali government forces and armed groups in and around the capital city, Mogadishu, dozens of severely wounded people are being treated by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical teams.

Since a joint government-African Union force launched an offensive on February 20 against rebel positions in parts of south-central Somalia, MSF teams working at the main hospital in Daynile, a town on the outskirts of Mogadishu, have treated 169 people suffering from severe war-related injuries. More than one hundred people sustained blast-related injuries and almost 50 people presented with gunshot wounds.

Among the wounded were 15 children under 14-years of age, and 30 women. The MSF team has performed 31 surgeries, including 16 laparotomies (major abdominal surgical procedures). More than 70 people have been treated in the intensive care unit and eight people have died.

The MSF team, working around the clock, has had to erect tents on the hospital grounds to accommodate the increased patient load. Medical supplies are running low and an emergency resupply is being planned.

United Nations: Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Somalia, Feb 25, 2011

The Secretary-General is following the reports of heavy fighting in Somalia. He deplores the high human cost of the conflict and expresses his sincere condolences to the families of those civilians, forces of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and soldiers of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) killed.

The Secretary-General reaffirms his support for the TFG in its role as part of the Djibouti Peace Process, AMISOM and the Troop Contributing Countries as they operate under a difficult mandate, as endorsed by the Security Council. He welcomes the achievements being made in Mogadishu by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The current round of fighting underscores the need for all Somali and international stakeholders to redouble efforts to restore lasting peace and stability to Somalia.

In this critical moment, we hope the leadership of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) will remain united and provide the necessary political guidance, support and encouragement to the forces of the TFG and AMISOM.

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AP:

Ali Muse, the chief of the Mogadishu ambulance service, said that 49 civilians had died and 157 had been wounded since the government launched the operation Wednesday.