COMMENTARY ON ISLAMIC WEBSITES
Somali Memo - The pro-al-Shabaab Islamist website claimed that there is stand off and heightened tensions between Ayr clan militias and the infidel-supporting militias in Dhusamareeb town. The Ayr clan entered a treaty with al-Shabaab months ago and Ayr clan militias are flocking to Dhusamareeb town to chase away the infidel-supporting Sufi militias from areas inhabited by the Ayr clan. Somali Language
POLITICS
Garowe Online - The organization of Somali Islamic Scholars released a statement Monday in which they expressed their anger towards the Kenyan air strikes that killed five children and two adults on Sunday, Radio Garowe reports. Director Sheikh Bashir Ahmed read a statement from the Islamic Scholars after the organization met in Mogadishu on Monday. Sheikh Bashir stated, "The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) works closely with the Kenyan military, since the Kenyan military is operating in Somalia under the TFG's authority, the TFG needs to hold accountable the actions of the Kenyan military."
Shabelle - The United Nations envoy for Somalia Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, has today made a surprise visit in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu amid scuffles are growing in the country’s Transitional Federal Parliament. The UN’s Secretary-General Special Representative for Somalia, Augustine P. Mahiga with a high delegation jetted into the international airport in Mogadishu late on Tuesday afternoon and held short-lived talks with Somali parliament speaker Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden over the country’s ongoing political crisis.
SECURITY/AL-SHABAAB
Mareeg - Heavy fighting with shelling has once again erupted in Buuhoodle town killing at least 12 people, an official said Tuesday. The battle, which is between the self-proclaimed Somaliland military and SSC rebels, broke out in the early hours on Tuesday morning after the rebels launched an assault on Somaliland forces stationed on the outskirts of Buuhoodle in Togdher region. Giving an interview to Somali Radio Media in Mogadishu via phone, the spokesman for SSC rebels, Abdirisaq Bakayle Hashi Farah, claimed victory over the combat, saying that his fighters killed 12 soldiers from Somaliland army during the fighting.
Risaala - Kenyan airplanes have continued bombarding Juba region and the latest airstrikes were targeted at al-Shabaab bases around Afmadow town this afternoon. It is reported that the targeted areas are inhabited by livestock herders and the casualties are not known.
MARITIME
The Guardian - Life on the ocean with Somali pirates is pretty grim with some pirates as young as 13 years suffering, according to NATO. Looking at the bare statistics, it does appear that NATO's anti-piracy operation has been more successful in the last 12 months, though nobody is pretending the problem is anywhere near solved. The capture of Somalis in recent months has also helped the Royal Navy and other allies to understand a little more about the motivation, and modus-operandi, of those who take to the sea.
MEDIA/RIGHTS
Voice Of America - International and local media rights groups have welcomed the release of 21 journalists in Somaliland and have called for authorities to release another four who are still detained. But some journalists in Somaliland are concerned for their safety and job effectiveness following the arrests. The autonomous region of Somaliland is facing intense criticism after the detention of 25 journalists last weekend. On Sunday, local journalists organized a peaceful protest in front of the state house, a day after police stormed and closed a local TV station. "Somaliland authorities have systematically cracked down on journalists and media," said Ibrahim. "They are doing this because Somaliland authorities believe that the outcome of this conference will cause insecurity to the Somaliland administration that are currently in control most of the region in Somaliland."
RADIO ROUNDUP
Radio Al-Furqaan - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
Fighting erupted between the al-Shabaab Mujahideens and the infidel troops of Ethiopia in Beledweyne last night. Al-Shabaab Mujahideens attacked the military bases of the Ethiopian troops and the Mujahideens killed and wounded Ethiopian soldiers during the unexpected attack. This was the first attack waged by the Mujahideens since the Ethiopians set up military bases in Beledweyne.
Hundreds of the Mujahideen fighters of al-Shabaab have attacked a military convoy of the Christian Kenyan forces in Gedo region. The Mujahideen fighters seized cache of heavy weapons and vehicles from the infidel Kenyan forces. For the past few days hundreds of Mujahideen fighters were flocking to Gedo region to wage war against the infidel forces at Gedo region.
Radio Risaala - An independent radio station
The former warlord and member of Islamic courts and current TFG military commander, Yusuf Siyad Indha'ade, gave an interview to Radio Risaala and Indha'ade spoke about the fight between al-Shabaab and AMISOM forces. Indha'ade stated, "The AMISOM forces have the right to wage land, sea and aerial war against al-Shabaab since al-Shabaab is an obstacle to the stabilization of Somalia."
Radio Bar-Kulan - An independent radio station
Somalia’s breakaway region of Puntland has lambasted Somaliland for its "violent aggression" against communities in Buuhoodle district, Togder region. In a press release, Puntland alleged that on 15 January 2011, Somaliland forces attacked Buuhoodle town and caused suffering and destruction including civilian casualties and property loss. "Puntland Government condemns in the strongest terms the naked aggressions perpetrated by Somaliland separatists against communities in Buhodle and other regions, while Somaliland continues to reject peaceful dialogue to ease tensions in northern Somalia," reads the press release in part.
Radio Kulmiye - An independent radio station
The owners and drivers of public transportation in Benadir region, Karaan district, have waged a transport strike today due to exorbitant fees collected by TFG forces. The public transport owners of Banadir region lifted the strike after meeting with high-ranking TFG commanders who pledged to protect the civilians. TFG leaders promised they will not tolerate any civilian abuses.