At least 16 people killed and scores wounded in Mogadishu [Tuesday] after Al shabaab fighters and Somali government forces exchanged heavy bombardments. Witnesses told Shabelle Radio that most of the people died in Mogadishu most populous market of Bakaara, where a number of mortars hit. A random salvo struck Ex-Fiyore where at least one pregnant was confirmed died, according to witnesses.
The shelling kicked off after Al shabaab movement targeted the presidential building with a number of mortars.
AP: 13 Somalis die in mortar attacks in capital
A medical official says 13 people died in mortar attacks in Somalia's capital.
Mogadishu ambulance service chief Ali Muse says most of the dead were collected from Bakara market and near the presidential palace. He says 21 people were wounded.
Shabelle Media: Multi-direction battles jolt Somali capital
Multi-direction battles on Tuesday night jolted many parts of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu after Al shabaab fighters re-organized themselves and launched attacks in northwestern and northeastern of Mogadishu where Somali government forces and African Union peacekeepers have military bases.
The fighting broke out at 11pm local time as Al shabaab fighters mugged several Somali-AMISOM military positions in Hodan, Howlwadag and Abdul-Aziz in Benadir region.
At least 10 people were so far confirmed dead and scores more injured in the crossfire and artillery bombardments which the two conflicting sides pounded each other.
Witnesses said the most of the combats rocked the former building of defense ministry, the outskirts of Kuliyadda, Dabka junction, Liido beach and Bondhere junction all in the seaside Mogadishu.
AFP:
"The number of casualties we have confirmed so far reaches 17. Eleven of them died late yesterday and six others were killed in the shelling last night," said Mogadishu medical worker Hassan Mohamud.-- -- --
He added that nearly 30 others had been taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment of wounds sustained in the fighting.
Reuters: Somali rebels regroup in south, launch brief attack
Somali rebels briefly attacked an area bordering Kenya before retreating to the countryside where security sources on Tuesday said the militants were regrouping after a government-led offensive.
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Residents living along the desert frontier said the Somali al Shabaab insurgents had tried and failed to recapture the border town of Elwaq late on Monday.
"Al Shabaab is regrouping. They have reinforced their number of fighters and raided Elwaq last night but they were unable to recapture it," Ahmed Ismail Zebe, coordinator of a local peace and advocacy group, told Reuters by telephone from Beledhawo.
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"We know al Shabaab is regrouping. The large al Shabaab presence in areas close to our border is a serious security issue," a Kenyan security source said.
The office of Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga said on Tuesday that Israel had pledged to help Kenya police its borders with Somalia and keep fundamentalist forces away.
Shabelle Media: Somalia’s Al shabaab confiscates peacefully a key village in south
Somalia’s Al shabaab fighters on Wednesday confiscated Dif, a border village near neighboring Kenya in lower Jubba region in southern Somalia.
The seizure of Dif, a village about 90 KM west of the border town of Dhobley, has happened peacefully after fighters loyal to Raskamboni fighters, who recently took over the village, have abandoned it.
A lot of Al shabaab fighters accompanied by a number of military wagons have entered the village.
Reliable sources told Shabelle that the fighters of Raskomaboni fighters led by Ahmed Mohamed Ilsan better known as (Ahmed Madowe) had been gradually leaving the village in the last few nights.
Shabelle Media: Belet-hawo is quiet calm after one day of fighting
Calm atmosphere is reported to have returned in the border town of Belet-hawo in Gedo region in southern Somalia after heavy fighting on Monday night.
The transitional federal government forces, who weeks ago captured the town from Al shabaab, are still in charge of the strategic town of Belet-hawo.
Witnesses in the border town told Shabelle Media Network that the situation returned to normal and business activities resumed.
Al shabaab spokesperson, Sheikh Abdi-aziz Abu Mus’ab talked about the recent fighting in Gedo region.
Abu Mus’ab claimed they inflicted vehement blow and killed more soldiers after attacking military bases Somali government forces have in Belet-hawo.
He said they seized the town for a limited amount of time, but later retreated for military gimmicks.
SMC:
“In the Early hours of the day the fighters of Ras-Kambooni left the location, and we cannot exactly tell where they went to, and instantly after their departure the fighters of Al-Shabab have reached the town and no fighting has taken between the two rivals in and around the town” said Noor Gamadiid a resident in Diif location.-- -- --
From Johnnie Carson's AllAfrica interview:
In the south, we are looking for ways to effectively work at the very local level, sub-regional governments – to help them provide stability and opportunities for greater economic development. These would be groups that are not associated with the TFG; but are opposed to the radical extremism espoused by al-Shabaab. We see a number of clan groups in Galmudug, for example, where leaders are determined to provide both stability and economic opportunity and security to their people. We're talking with them and looking for ways to provide development assistance support to their efforts.-- -- --
From the open letter, Concerned Somalis in the Diaspora Condemn Ethiopia's Aggression in Somalia
The Somali people (both inside and outside the country) feel betrayed by the International Community's complacencies or indifferences to our protracted conflict and Ethiopia's established aggression, destabilization, and disproportionate use of violence against Somali citizens. The world community should understand that the solution to Somalia’s protracted conflict could only be reached through genuine internal reconciliation process and dialogue among the people of Somalia without interferences from neighboring countries as the case has been for the past two decades.-- -- --
We, the undersigned members of Concerned Somalis in the Diaspora with roots across Somalia, including activists, educators, intellectuals, and professionals:
Condemn the deliberate and indiscriminate artillery bombardments of the heavily populated Somali town of Belad Hawo by the Ethiopian army and demand Ethiopia to stop immediately these unprovoked hostilities and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Somalia's territory.
Condemn and denounce the mindless violence, deplorable tactics and policies pursued by Ethiopia, Ethiopian-supported militias, and Al-Shabaab all of which are collectively tantamount to genocide and War Crimes against the Somali people.
Call upon the International Community to equally condemn the Ethiopian aggression on innocent Somali civilians and the violation of international human rights laws committed by all groups in the current hostilities in Belad Hawo, Belad Weyn and Galgadud.
Request from the UN Security Council to establish immediately an inquiry into the violations of International laws arising from the recent and the previous wars that were waged in Somalia and on the Somali people.
Bring the attention of the World and the UN to the deleterious ramifications of Ethiopia’s unimpeded meddling in the affairs of Somalia. In our view, the Somali people are entitled to account for and reparations for the Ethiopia’s documented aggressions towards our country and atrocities committed against our people.
Ask that these destructive policies/strategies of Ethiopia against Somalia end immediately and the regime in Addis Abba comply with international laws/resolutions vis-à-vis the Somali conflict. Equally, we request that the people of Somalia be allowed and assisted in determining locally crafted solutions to their internal conflicts.
Garowe Online: Dozens die, others injured in Mogadishu clashes
At least 35 people have been killed and dozens injured in heavy clashes and exchange of mortars fire in Somalia’s war-ravaged capital Mogadishu on Wednesday, witnesses told Garowe Online.-- -- --
Clashes between Somali government forces backed by African Union troops and Al-Shabaab extremist militias erupted after Al-Shabaab shelled mortars at the Somali Presidential house and its neighbourhood that claimed the life of ten civilians including a pregnant woman.
AMISOM and government forces shelled back mortars at the busy Bakaro market that left dead 21 people, mostly women and children.
According to medical officials "50 people have been injured in the last two days violence in Mogadishu, mostly were civilians who caught by mortars on their houses."
AP: Somali region of Puntland suspends controversial deal with private security firm Saracen
omalia's northern region of Puntland has suspended a controversial deal with a private security firm contracted to train an anti-piracy force, two government officials said Thursday.-- -- --
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Two officials in the Puntland government said the deal had been suspended following international pressure. Both asked for anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject.
One official said most of Saracen's primarily South African staff have left the country but he expected them to return. The second official said that training has been suspended and that 200 recruits who had graduated from the training program were not paid in February.
Puntland's information minister did not return calls seeking comment on the subject.
A person familiar with the project, who insisted on anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, confirmed that the project had been suspended partly due to pressure from the U.N. and the U.S. government.
The Standard: Defecting Somali soldiers arrested
Wajir Police are holding three Somali soldiers who defected from the force.
The soldiers were among 2, 400 Somalis trained in Isiolo who were heading back to their country via Wajir and Mandera.
The three soldiers jumped out of a convoy of about 22 lorries in Wajir town at about 9pm on Thursday and disappeared into the town.
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..sources said attempts by the officers to defect was an embarrassment to the Kenyan Government that wanted the soldiers passage to be a secret.
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The soldiers are believed to be the last batch of those training in Isiolo and Manyani.
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In a show of might and under the cover of darkness, lorries loaded with the Somali soldiers entered through Merti in Isiolo heading for Diif on the Kenya/Somali border. They were in a convoy of 22 lorries and escorted by the Kenya army.
They were spotted in Wajir town and Elwak in Mandera.
"They dished out biscuits and bought miraa before heading to the border towns of Diif and Dobley", said Mohammed Hussein, who runs a hotel in Wajir town.
Shabelle Media: Al shabaab deserts a village in southern Somalia
Al shabaab fighters on Saturday deserted Dif, a village in Lower Jubba region in southern Somalia, reports said.
Sources confirmed Shabelle that the village is now empty and locals are expressing concern over how the situation will be.
No fighting was reported to have taken place in Dif village before Al shabaab fighters vacated it.
But, local residents reported that Al shababa fighters faced a great fear after a large number of recently trained Somali transitional federal government forces deployed the outskirts of the village.
Shabelle Media: Ethiopian forces vacate from Luq, Belet-Hawo towns
After weeks inside Somalia soil, the Ethiopian forces on Saturday vacated the border towns of Belt-Hawo and Luq in Gedo region in southern Somalia.
Reports said that the Ethiopian military troops moved towards Dolow district in Somali Ethiopian border.
Some Somali military officials followed the Ethiopian troops, according to reliable sources.
Barre Adam Shire and Mohamoud Sayid Adam, two Somali MPs were among the Somali officials left with Ethiopians.
Daily Nation: Boy killed in border town blast
A seven-year-old boy was killed while two others were injured in a mortar shell explosion in Mandera.
The explosive, suspected to have been left behind after fighting by Somali factions, went off as fighting broke out in Dhobley, another border point, sparking fears that the battle could extend into Kenya.
The explosion happened on Saturday at noon, when the boys, who were playing in an open field, came across the shell and one of them picked it up. He died in the blast.
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..residents of Mandera Town believe the explosive was left behind by Ethiopian forces who they say used the town as a launch pad in their attack against al-Shabaab.
The government has denied allowing foreign troops to launch attacks from Kenya. The incident happened in Geneva Estate, which is close to the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
The weekend explosion brings the number of civilians injured in a week in Mandera to seven, even after fighting stopped in neighbouring Beled Hawo.
Shabelle Media: Heavy clashes erupt in Dhobley, Al shabaab is still in control
heavy clashes between Somali government forces and Al shabaab fighters on Sunday morning erupted in Dhobley a town in Somalia-Kenya border, witnesses said.
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The fighting broke out after more Somali soldiers, who were recently trained in neighboring Kenya, have made military maneuver in outskirts of Dhobley town where Al shabaab tightly controls.
Reports from the town now confirmed that Al shabaab fighters are still in charge of Dhobley.
Garowe Online: Somali border-town clashes kills 20
At least 20 people have been killed and 30 others injured after heavy fighting between forces loyal to Somali government and Al-Shabaab extremist militias broke out in Dobley a Somali-Kenyan border town, on Sunday.
Witnesses told Garowe Online the clashes erupted after Somali government forces attacked Al-Shabaab bases in the town and almost all of the dead people were the warring sides.
“I saw dead bodies of Somali government forces and Al-Shabaab militias, the government forces took over the town form Al-Shabaab early in the morning but on the night Al-Shabaab seized back the city and the government troops left the town,” a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity told Garowe Online.
He adds unknown number of civilians have been killed and injured in the fighting. On Saturday Al-Shabaab withdrew from Diif town about 120 km from Dobley on the Kenyan-Somali border and Somali government forces with Raaskaambooni a pro-government forces took over the town.
Al-Shabaab military spokesman, Sheikh Abdulaziz Abu Muscab claimed that his militias killed dozens of Somali government forces while he was speaking to the press in Mogadishu, the war-torn capital of Somalia.
“Somali government forces backed by Kenyan military troops attacked our bases in Doobley,” he said.
Hundreds of Dobley residents started to flee from the town to neighbouring villages for their safety after heavy clashes hit the town early on Sunday.
Mareeg Online: Al-Shabab claims victory over the battle in Dhobley district
Spokesman of Al-shabab for military operations, Sheikh A/asis Abuu Mus’ab held press conference in the capital Mogadishu mid today saying that pro-government soldiers backed by Kenyan forces were defeated in the heavy battle that occurred in Dhobley district early this morning.-- -- --
Spokesman of Shabab Abuu Mas’ab said, “Militias trained by Kenyan government and Kenya forces themselves attacked Dhobley with heavy weapons last night and then face to face fighting this morning, but they failed”.
The spokesman said that their forces control the city completely now and pro-government soldiers and fled into Kenya country adding they have killed number of opposing groups.
Walta Information Center: The TFG’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence minister visits Ethiopia
Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Abduhakim Mohamed Haji Faqi, visited Addis Ababa this week. During his visit he had discussions with Prime Minister Meles, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Berhane Gebre Christos; he also met with senior defence officials. The Deputy Prime Minister, who underlined the strong relations existing between the Ethiopian and Somali peoples and the need to do more to enhance the relationship, thanked Ethiopia for its continuous support in training and capacity building for both the TFIs and Somali security institutions. He gave an account of recent progress on the ground against Al-Shabaab in Gedo and Bakool regions as well as Mogadishu, achieved in collaboration with AMISOM and Ahlu Sunna wal Jama’a. He underlined the TFG’s efforts to bring peace and stability in Somalia and detailed the main activities of the new cabinet over the last hundred days. He noted that the TFG would now embark on creating administrations in the areas of Gedo, Galgudud and Bakool regions now free of Al-Shabaab following its recent defeats.
Shabelle Media: Somali PM: We shall decimate Al shabaab within 90 days
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