COMMENTARY ON ISLAMIC WEBSITES
Somali Memo - The pro-al-Shabaab website claimed the TFG administration led by Abdiweli Ali and AMISOM are set to loot properties in Bakara Market as the previous administration of Abdullahi Yusuf did. The Islamist website claimed that TFG and AMISOM leaders held a secret meeting at Halane Military Camp of Mogadishu and assigned the Chief of the Somali Police Forces Sharif Maye to post militia forces at Bakara, Mogadishu's biggest market. (Editor's Note: This is clear propaganda against the Somali prime minister since he hails from the same clan as the late president of Somalia, Abdullahi Yusuf.)Somali Language
POLITICS
Business Daily - The European Union has announced that it will scale up its Somali funding by Sh10.9 billion (€100 million) to support the African Union Mission (AMISOM). The mission was expanded by the rehatting of Kenya Defence Forces early this year. The money will go towards meeting the increased salaries and wages needs of the regional peacekeeping unit necessitated by the United Nations Security Council resolution of February 26 to integrate Kenyan troops, a move that increased the force to 17,731 soldiers.
Garowe Online - The Somali Prime Minister, Dr. Abdiweli Ali met today a delegation of African ministers in Mogadishu. The Somali PM held discussions with South African and Mozambique delegations and they talked about the assistance the southern African nations could provide to the Somali government during the transitional period. The South African Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs stated that, "Our country had opportunity to draft a constitution in 1994 but the South African public had the opportunity to vote for the new constitution." Somali Language
SECURITY/AL-SHABAAB
Reuters - Ethiopian troops and Somali government forces killed 17 al Shabaab rebels on Thursday after the Islamist militants blocked a road in southern Somalia and stole goods, a regional official said. Mohamed Abdi Mayow, the governor of Bakool region, said the al Qaeda-linked militants had been blocking trucks carrying supplies to Hudur for seven weeks and had unloaded goods from at least five lorries. "They blocked all supplies and unloaded goods. This led to the fierce fighting and we swept al Shabaab from the area, Mayow told Reuters by telephone from Hudur.
Hiiraan Online - Somali President Sharif Ahmed promoted 141 police officers including the Chief of the Somali Police forces Gen. Sharif Shekhuna Maye. The police chief claimed that the promotion of the police officers is based on their hard work and the role they played in the improvement of the security of Mogadishu. Somali Language
VIDEO
FAO-SOMALIA - This 4+ minute video advocates eating fish in Somalia to combat hunger and famine in the country. The video is put together by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization office for Somalia.
RADIO ROUNDUP
Radio Mogadishu - A pro-government radio station
Chief Commander of Somali National Forces General Abdukadir Diini attended a graduation ceremony for more than 1,000 TFG troops who completed training at a military camp in Kampala, Uganda. The general advised the newly trained troops to eradicate Al-Qaeda militias from the country. The troops will return to Somalia to fight against al-Shabaab.
The special TFG security forces, known as Gaashaan, started massive security operations in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Thursday. The forces searched the houses in Zobe village and seized a large number of weapons, including machine guns, weapons, bullets and mortars. The chief commander of Banadir region security, Kalif Ahmed Ereg, told the media that they will continue the security operation until the city is safe.
Radio Andalus - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
At least five pro-infidels militias were killed and several others injured as two TFG groups fought over bribes in Hiliwa district of Mogadishu on Thursday afternoon. An eye witness told Radio Andalus the fighting erupted when one of the groups attacked a roadblock the other group used to collect bribes from vehicles. Many casualties were rushed to the hospitals.
Gunmen shot and killed two pro-infidels militias in Karan district of Mogadishu on Wednesday night. Unidentified men also threw grenades on a TFG base in Wardhiglay district, which caused damage for the enemy. Insecurity in the Somali capital of Mogadishu is increasing day after day, while the pro-infidel group (TFG) is claiming that the city is secure.
Radio Al-Furqaan - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
At least three people, including two TFG soldiers, were shot and killed in Baidoa on Wednesday night. The first attack took place in Cunaye junction after gunmen threw grenades on TFG bases, which caused the death of two soldiers. The gunmen also killed a prominent individual, Fanah Haji Mungurow, in the center of Baidoa.
Radio Bar-Kulan - An independent radio station
TFG military forces seized Gobo village, 12 kilometers north of Mahaas district in Hiiraan region, without a fight after al-Shabaab militias deserted the village. The TFG chairman of Mahaas district, Mumin Mohamed Halane, told Radio Bar-Kulan that the forces are heading to Mahaas district and soon will capture it.
Radio Shabelle - An independent radio station
Both the TFG and al-Shabaab militia claimed victory over fierce fighting took place on Wednesday in Bay and Bakol regions. Somali MP Ali Aden, who is currently in Bay region, told Radio Shabelle the allied forces of the TFG and Ethiopia have inflicted heavy losses on al-Shabaab during the fighting in Awdiinle and Qasahdhere districts. Meanwhile, al-Shabaab officials who spoke to pro-al-Shabaab radio stations rebuffed the TFG claim, saying they killed ten TFG and Ethiopian soldiers.