COMMENTARY ON ISLAMIC WEBSITES
Somali Memo - The pro-al-Shabaab website claimed that the Ras Kamboni Militia Leader, Ahmed Mohamed Islam known as Ahmed Madobe, reached Dhobley district of Lower Juba region today in a convoy of 30 Kenyan armored vehicles. The Kenyan military intends to improve the morale of the militias loyal to Kenya who have been defeated in recent wars. The recent fighting, which caused heavy casualties for the infidels, included Kenyan warplanes. The Islamist website also claimed that Ahmed Madobe is an infidel since he openly declared support for the infidel nations of Kenya and Ethiopia who are engaged in fighting with the Mujahideens. Somali Language
POLITICS
Mareeg - The Hawiye Clan Council of Elders strongly condemned the kidnapping of two female MSF Spain aid workers from the world’s largest refugee camp in Kenya two days ago. Spokesman of Hawiye Clan elders Ahmed Diriye Ali said they were very concerned about the kidnapping of aid workers and called for their quick release. Mr. Direiye said, "We are very sorry for aid workers abduction who were helping poor Somali people inside Dhadhab camp."
Garowe Online - The President of Puntland State of Somalia, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud (Farole), has met with the African Union’s High Representative for Somalia, H.E. Jerry Rawlings, and the Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson for Somalia, H.E. Ambassador Boubacar Diara. During the Thursday meeting, President Farole was accompanied by Puntland’s State Minister for International Cooperation Abdulkadir Abdi Hashi.
SECURITY/AL-SHABAAB
The Dominion Post - A New Zealand Army colonel has been given a senior role with the United Nations in Somalia to advise the local defense force and police. Colonel Anthony Howie will take up the 12-month position next month. He will be based in Nairobi, Kenya but will regularly visit the Somali capital Mogadishu and travel throughout the country. Colonel Howie said despite some progress, Somalia continued to be a failed state which made the UN mission a particularly difficult. "The security situation fluctuates and peacekeeping forces struggle with limited resources to create secure conditions for political reform."
The Standard - Kenyan forces are believed to be already fighting al-Shabaab elements inside Somalia, signalling a clear determination by the country to defend itself from incessant attacks by insurgents. On Saturday, the government — through two ministers — made it clear it was exercising its right to self-defense against continued aggression that risks undermining the country’s economic and security interests. Kenya invoked this right – provided for under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter – in the face of flagrant violation of its territorial integrity and national economy by al-Shabaab terror group.
HUMANITARIAN
USADF - The United States African Development Foundation has committed $1.4 million to provide vocational skills training, permanent jobs and small business opportunities to over 1,600 youth between the ages of 18-35 in Somaliland, Puntland, and South Central Somalia. “The United States African Development Foundation values working in conflict and post-conflict situations with marginalized populations – especially the youth. It is our goal and the goal of the six grantees that the participants will be in a position to improve their standard of living after having participated in the program,“ said USADF President and CEO Lloyd O. Pierson.
DIASPORA/TERRORISM
Post Bulletin - The trial of two Minnesota women accused of funneling money to a terror group is being closely watched by members of the state's Somali community, with many saying it is breeding mistrust in an immigrant population already fearful of government. Hundreds of hours of secretly recorded phone calls are the key evidence against Amina Farah Ali, 35, and Hawo Mohamed Hassan, 64. Prosecutors say the women passed themselves off as charity fundraisers when they were really part of a "deadly pipeline" that routed money and fighters from the U.S. to Somalia. "We are back to square one," said Omar Jamal, a longtime advocate for Somalis in Minnesota and first secretary for the Somali mission to the U.N. in New York. "The mistrust between Somalis and the government has gone way beyond what they can ever imagine. People are thinking, 'My God, phones were tapped!'"
VIDEO
Warkii.com - This is over 3-minute video showing Al-Qaeda member, Abaa Abdalla, and al-Shabaab senior leader, Sheikh Ali Dhere, speaking to the Somalis about their partnership as Mujahideens organizations and distributing relief goods donated by Al-Qaeda to famine-affected Somalis at KM50 of Lower Shabelle (Editor's Note: This is in support of an earlier news story published by Somalia Report.)
OP-ED
Markacadey - The author advocated the need for establishing a just and stable Somali national system governed by the rule of law and criticized the corrupt TFG leaders, military dictatorship of Siyad Barre and al-Shabaab for the current instability in Somalia. The author said, "Currently, the foreign Al-Qaeda controlled Al-Shabaab militias are attempting to fundamentally destroy any semblance of the rule of law in Somalia through wanton massacres of Somali civilians. Many Somalis have recently come to understand that the Al-Shabaab attacks are design to send the message that Somali blood is worthless."
RADIO ROUNDUP
Radio Mogadishu - A pro-government radio station
Somali Prime Minister Abdiwel Mohamed Ali reiterated again that the strength of al-Shabaab has been weakened and urged the Somali civilians to take part in eliminating the remaining groups, so that their name can be in history once and for all. Mr. Ali stated that the extremists were defeated and for now their only strength is by only killing the civilians, targeting students and the Somali lawmakers and anybody who is a Somali patriot. The Somali prime minister stated that there is a need for peace and that al-Shabaab are the enemy of Somalis and urged the civilians to confront them as united to save our nation.
Delegates headed by the United Nation Special Envoy to Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, arrived in Mogadishu and met with the president of Somalia, Sharif Ahmed, the speaker of the parliament, Sharif Hassan, and Prime Minister Abdiweli Ali. Mr. Mahiga told the media that he has discussed with Somali leaders on how to commence the implementation of the UN Conference roadmap set by the Somali Government. He also pointed out that the Somali prime minister has pledged the implementation of the roadmap during the UN Security Council in New York and the Somali Contact Group meeting in Copenhagen, Netherlands.
Radio Al-Furqaan - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
At least six militias of the TFG were killed after youths in Halimo village of Karaan district in Mogadishu attacked them with bombs. Also there was an extensive destruction of vehicles carrying the TFG forces. The people of Karaan have prepared themselves in defending their village from the TFG forces.
Radio Andulus - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
Ten infidels died after al-Shabaab planted explosive devices in heaps of firewood in Hiliwa and Yaaqshiid districts of Mogadishu, recently vacated by the Mujaheddin. The TFG forces are scared to inspect houses abandoned by the Mujaheddin.
Radio Bar-Kulan - An independent radio station
A ship carrying emergency relief from Iran for drought-affected people has arrived at Mogadishu port. The Iranian ship was carrying 120 tons of relief aid including rice, sugar, biscuits and food intended for children suffering from malnutrition. The food will be forwarded to Iranian Red Cross who will manage the distribution of the relief goods at IDP camps in Mogadishu.