COMMENTARY ON ISLAMIC WEBSITES
Somali Memo - The pro-al-Shabaab website posted a statement issued by al-Shabaab's Spokesman Sheikh Ali Dhere on today's suicide attack in Dhusamareb town of Galgadud region of central Somalia, which killed two Somali lawmakers and wounded several others. Sheikh Ali Dhere claimed that al-Shabaab Mujahideens interrupted a plot organized by personalities behind the assassination of the late Martyrs of Sheikh Adan Ayrow and Sheikh Muhyadiin by US drone attacks. Ali also claimed that the targeted groups were composed of Ethiopian troops, infidel-supporting delegation who were touring the region for about a week and the infidel-supporting militias who are controlling the Galgudud region. Al-Shabaab spokesman claimed that the suicide attack coincided with the assassination of Adan Ayrow on May 1st, four years ago. Somali Language
POLITICS
Voice Of America - The United Nations, African Union and an East African bloc are warning they will impose sanctions on anyone who tries to disrupt Somalia's move toward a new constitution. In a joint statement Tuesday, the U.N., AU, and the Intergovernmental Agency on Development, or IGAD, said Somalia is at a critical juncture, and too much is at stake to let the the country's peace process backslide. In an interview with VOA , U.N. special envoy to Somalia Augustine Mahiga said the warning is aimed, in part, at some Somali lawmakers. "We still have elements in the parliament who are threatening to form their own government outside the roadmap and extend themselves. There are former warlords, who may be in parliament or outside of parliament, who are essentially in alliance with some members of parliament. But there are also groups that are bent on sabotaging the whole exercise around the constitutional process. And we want to engage them in constructive dialogue instead of just obstructing and being diversionary."
Garowe Online - Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia spokesman said that politicians against the August deadline for the end of the TFG could be sanctioned or possibly be tried in court, Garowe Online reports. Spokesman for the TFG Abdirahman Omar Osman (Yarisow) who spoke to local media on Tuesday in Mogadishu said, "The TFG and the international community have acknowledged that those who do not want to see the end of the transitional government in August need to be added to the spoiler list. Those in this spoiler list could face sanctions and be tried by international courts." Mr. Yarisow continued his stern warning adding that the Somali people do not want to regress back into lawlessness and spoilers who do not want change for the better will not be tolerated.
SECURITY/AL-SHABAAB
NPR - The death of bin Laden crystallized a new way the intelligence community has started to think about the group. Officials now divide their analysis into two distinct categories: the Al-Qaeda organization and Al-Qaeda as a movement. Al-Qaeda as a movement, whether people embrace its ideology or attack in its name, is still robust, and it is this movement component of Al-Qaeda that worries counterterrorism officials. "The mother Al-Qaeda is a couple hundred people," says Daniel Byman, a fellow at the Brookings Institution. "It has certainly shown it is capable, it's lethal, but its real army are these affiliate groups." Affiliate groups like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen and al-Shabaab in Somalia.
Garowe Online - Monday morning classes at Bossaso's Al-Badriya boarding school was a bloody affair for the students. According to police sources at least 8 students were injured two in serious condition after teenagers were involved in a brawl that led to students being shot. Reports are still unclear but one source said that one of the security guards was over powered for his weapon after a brawl between students occurred, gunfire ensued while some of the children escaped the school's . If the shooters were staff or students is still unclear at this time. The all male Al Badriya boarding school located in Lanta Hawada neighborhood, is home to many youth from troubled backgrounds. According to ex students of Al Badriya, the school is in fact a bootcamp and families send their kids so they can learn how to behave.
MARITIME
The Telegraph India - The Indian Navy opened a new base in the Lakshadweep archipelago today, increasing its presence in the Arabian Sea where Somalia-based pirates are operating closer to Indian waters more than ever before. INS Dweeprakshak was commissioned at Kavaratti by Vice-Admiral K.N. Sushil, the flag officer commanding in chief of the Southern Naval Command. Captain K.N. Hanchinal is the first commanding officer of the naval base. So far, the navy had maintained only a detachment in Lakshadweep since the 1980s. But now the islands are assuming strategic importance with India’s western seaboard becoming the destination for many navies.
Associated Press - Federal prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty against three Somalis charged with murder in the fatal shooting of four Americans aboard a hijacked yacht last year. Ahmed Muse Salad, Abukar Osman Beyle and Shani Nurani Shiekh Abrar could also face the death penalty on numerous other charges related to the February, 2011 hijacking. They include hostage taking resulting in death, violence against maritime navigation resulting in death and kidnapping resulting in death. In total, 22 of the 26 counts are death-eligible offenses. The decision to seek the death penalty is made by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. A document disclosing the prosecutors' intent was filed on Monday.
Radio Netherlands Worldwide - In the wake of recent European Union agreements, the Netherlands will intensify its anti-piracy patrols off the Somali coast. The EU hopes to get a grip on the problem by tackling the pirates on land as well as at sea. The initiative to set foot on Somali soil is a precautionary measure. "In the past, we were not allowed to operate on land because it's a naval mission," said Lodder. "Pirates dump their ships and supplies and oil on the beaches. We noticed it would be easier to stop the pirates before they leave by destroying these supply camps. That doesn’t mean we’re now allowed to actually operate land...it’s just getting on shore, destroy the camps and get back on the ship."
Associated Press - The seven Indian crew members on board the Italian ship landed in Mumbai on Tuesday. This account of their capture and release is based on interviews with five crew members and two shipping company officials. The captain told the assembled crew that pirates were approaching. The next hour unfolded in slow motion. A skiff set out from the pirate's mother ship. The crew watched from the bridge as four men in shorts and T-shirts hoisted a ladder and climbed on board. Two carried AK-47s. They fired shots in the air and called themselves pirates. They said they were from Somalia. No one knew how much money was in those containers, but it was clear that the pirates had gotten what they asked for. "Until that day, they had reason to keep us alive," Parrakat said. "After they got what they wanted, they can do anything." He stayed awake the whole night, listening as the pirates left the ship in small groups. Around 5 a.m., the last few pirates fired three farewell shots in the air. "It was like coming out of jail," Parrakat said, a big smile spreading on his face.
HUMANITARIAN
Voice Of America - The United Nations Children's Fund warned that thousands of acutely malnourished children in Somalia are at risk of death because little money is available to help them. UNICEF said it has received only 12 percent of its $289 million emergency appeal for humanitarian operations this year. UNICEF spokeswoman Marixie Mercado said some 325,000 acutely malnourished children are in great need of assistance. She said her agency scaled up nutrition programs significantly between July and December at the peak of last year's crisis. But, those programs now are at risk. "This work continues and it is a huge operation that is saving children’s lives every day. Those who are most severely acutely malnourished are at imminent risk of death.This is a fact," said Mercado.
RADIO ROUNDUP
Radio Mogadishu - A pro-government radio station
Mogadishu Mayor Mohamed Ahmed Nuur Tarsan met with the Kampala Mayor Ilyas Lukwago in Kampala, Uganda on Tuesday. The two mayors discussed how to strengthen the relationship between the two cities and how to cooperate on several issues. Mogadishu's mayor told Radio Mogadishu that they invited Mayor Lukwago to visit Mogadishu in the next few days.
Dozens of Al-Qaeda linked militias were killed as TFG and Ethiopian forces fought in Hudur district of Bakol region on Monday night. The fighting erupted when Al-Qaeda militias attacked the bases of the allied forces on the outskirts of Hudur. Somali lawmaker Mohamed Ahmed Lahos told Radio Mogadishu that they are busy counting of the casualties and the bodies of Al-Qaeda linked militias’ are laying along the scene.
Radio Andalus - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
The people of Puntland started to respond to the appeals of the Mujahideens, who called on them to join the fight against the infidels and their supporters of that region. Hundreds of new Mujahideens have crossed into the Golis Mountains and joined the Mujahideen. Recently, a prominent Somali religious leader, Sheikh Abdukadir Mumin, reached the Golis Mountains and called on the people of Puntland to support the Mujahideens.
At least 50 Ethiopian infidels were killed and more than 100 injured as the Mujahideens attacked the Christian military bases in Hudur district on Monday night. Local residents told Radio Andalus that an airplane landed in the district and rushed many casualties to Ethiopia. Some reports indicate that the Mujahideen seized bases and a lot of weapons from the enemy. (Editor's Note: TFG and Ethiopian troops also claimed in killing dozens of al-Shabaab fighters in Hudur town.)
Radio Shabelle - An independent radio station
Al-Shabaab militias on Monday officially took over Radio Markablay, an independent radio station in Bardhere district, after heavily armed militias entered the station. Sources indicated that all the operations of the radio were effectively off air as the administration of al-Shabaab seized it and the staff were ordered to leave the compound. Al-Shabaab claimed that the radio will air Islamist news stories from today.
The Attorney General of Somalia issued an arrest warrant for the Chief of Mogadishu Central Prison for his involvement in a prison breakout by hundreds of prisons this month. The Attorney General ordered the National Security Forces to immediately arrest the criminal.