In the last 24 hours, the total number of news stories on the following topics: Somalia 7,461; Mogadishu 911; Somaliland 9; Puntland 7 as of 1530PST.
TOPLINE
Today’s news is dominated by recent fighting between African Union (AU) peacekeeping forces and Islamist militias loyal to Al-Shabaab. The majority of news reports the AU and government forces as having the upper hand and inflicting heavy casualties on Al-Shabaab forces; however spokesmen from both sides .
➢ The Iran PressTV reported , resulting in 11 civilian casualties and destruction of residential property. The intense fighting took place in Mogadishu’s Hodan and Boondheere Districts and raged for more than seven hours.
➢ Bloomberg reported that Donna Hopkins, the . Hopkins also stated pirates have amassed more than $100 millions in ransom and are able to dodge the more than 20 naval vessels deployed to hunt them.
➢ Asian Tribune just reported from Beruwala, south west of Sri Lanka around 30 Nov 2010, the first reported incident of Somali pirates abducting Sri Lankan fishermen.
Maritime ➢ Horseed Media reports that the Puntland Government opened , capital of Puntland. The training was opened by the Minister of Justice and Religion as well as Puntland Elders who encouraged the youth to take advantage of the training and to abandon bad virtues. ➢ Horseed Media reports that were taken to Galkayo hospital in Mudug Region, Puntland for treatment. Abdikarim Kayton of Horseed Media interviewed the mayor of Jiriiban District since Garad, a pirate hub, is under his jurisdiction. According to the Horseed reporter the mayor said, “It is usual for the pirates to kill each other over ransom disputes in this district.” ➢ The Marshall Island-flagged Tanker HELLESPONT TRINITY was , approximately 220 nautical miles West of Angria Bank, India. The captain implemented best management practice procedures by increasing speed and engaging in evasive maneuvers. No injuries were reported. ➢ The European Union (EU) Council has adopted a decision which will see the EU’s on-going military mission against maritime piracy off the coast of Somalia use and tools to fight the criminal networks behind piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
International Round Up ➢ The Economist reports forces from certain vital parts of Mogadishu. The Commander of AMISOM forces, Major Anthony Mbusi, claimed that the Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam militias waged a war against AMISOM forces to take control of Mogadishu but they failed dismally and Al-Shabaab lost 700 fighters as well as 20% of Mogadishu territory. ➢ Somalia was ranked by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), a Reporters Without Borders partner organization.
TRENDS/NEW DEVELOPMENTS ➢ Reports indicate that the Puntland government is geared up to fight piracy. Its administration implemented several anti-piracy activities including training of a coast guard, enactment of anti-piracy laws and rehabilitation of former pirate youth. ➢ The anti-piracy activities of Puntland are straining the cooperation and relations between Somalia’s two relatively stable regions (Somaliland & Puntland). Both Somaliland leaders and its people are worried by the new developments including a mysterious military equipment shipment to Puntland and the source of funding for the anti-piracy programs, according to an op-ed article posted on by Dr. Mohamed Abdo. The author questions the source of funding allegedly coming from petroleum exploring companies and Saracen, which is reportedly 25 % co-owned by Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho, a.k.a Salim Saleh, the brother of the Ugandan president. The author concludes by saying cooperation of Puntland and Saracen is a looming danger to the stability of Somaliland and that of the East African region.