COMMENTARY ON ISLAMIC WEBSITES
Amiir Nuur - The pro-al-Shabaab website posted a brief commentary where al-Shabaab leader of Gedo region, Sheikh Abas Abdullahi, predicts the destruction or the collapse of the Kenyan nation since Kenya's government intervened in Somali affairs and also the recent loss of high ranking Kenyan politicians in plane crash. Sheikh Abdullahi also spoke about the failure of Kenyan forces in Gedo and southwestern regions of Somalia. Somali Language
POLITICS
Associated Press - Mogadishu is losing a label it never wanted in the first place: The World’s Most Dangerous City. The seaside Somali capital is enjoying a peace that, except for the infrequent attack, has lasted the better part of a year. Somalis who fled decades of war are coming back, as are U.N. workers who long operated out of Nairobi, the capital of neighboring Kenya. Embassies are reopening and a U.S. assistant secretary of state visited here on Sunday, the highest-ranking U.S. official to set foot in Mogadishu since the infamous Black Hawk Down battle of 1993. "One thing I could say about Mogadishu as the most dangerous city in the world: I’ve been here one week and I never felt any danger," Abubakar said. "When I was out walking around, I wasn’t scared. There was nothing to be scared of."
All Africa - Military officers from Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Gedo region, south-west of the country, claimed on Wednesday a major victory over al-Shabaab fighting. General Abdi Mahdi, chief of Somali armed forces in Gedo region, told that his troops inflicted heavy losses upon al-afighters during a fierce fighting took place yesterday several locations near Qoqani town in Lower Jubba region of southern Somalia. "Somali and Kenyan forces repelled Tuesday attacks by al-Shabaab mounted on military bases in the villages located on the outskirts of Qoqani, killing many militant fighters and damaging some of their battle wagons," said Mr Mahdi.
Garowe Online - Somali Prime Minister Abdiwali Mohamed Ali, who is currently in Nairobi, Kenya, met with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on Wednesday. Both leaders discussed the security operations against the Al-Qaeda linked militants of al-Shabaab group in Somalia and the improvement of the security of the region. President Kibaki vowed to continue the support of Somali government and co-operate the eradication of al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda from the region. Somali Language
Hiiraan - The UN Special Envoy to Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga announced that he is planning to go to Afgoye town of Lower Shabelle region, which under the control of TFG-AMISOM forces. "I am invited to Afgoye town by the AMISOM commander and I want to witness the conditions of the town. Afgoye is an important town and Shabelle river cuts through the middle of Afogye. The capture of Afgoye is the biggest victory of AMISOM forces," said Ambassador Mahiga. Somali Language
SECURITY/AL-SHABAAB
Reuters - Tanzania police said on Tuesday they have arrested a top German terrorist, whom they have pursued since the 28 May bombing in Nairobi. Last month, Kenyan police released a photo of a man they identified as Emrah Erdogan, a German national of Turkish origin who is also known as Salahuddin al-Kurdi. The Kenyan police said he had entered the east African country from Somalia in May. "The German suspect is in police custody in Dar es Salaam in relation with terrorism investigations. He is being questioned by the police as we speak to get a written statement from him," a Tanzanian police source, who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media, told Reuters.
Shabelle - Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a officials have for the first time spoke out about their recent serial withdrawal from some key towns in central Somalia over the past three days. Abdi-Sahkur Husein Cabdi, one of ASWJ executive authorities, told Shabelle Media during in a telephone interview that their retreat from towns located in Hiiran and Galgadud region of central Somalia was "a military tactics". He expressed optimistic to retake over all towns from Al shabab fighters who moved into and took control peacefully, shortly after the allied forces from ASWJ and Ethiopian forces under unknown circumstances.
OP-ED
American Chronicle - The author, Kanini Evans Kariuki, criticizes the UN and other stakeholders for undermining the sovereignty of the Somali nation. "I cannot understand how the UN bypasses the legitimacy and legality of the Somali parliament and defies the Charter of the United Nations which respects the sovereignty and Independence of the member states of the UN."
RADIO ROUNDUP
Radio Mogadishu - A pro-government radio station
Reports from Galgadud region in central Somalia indicate that al-Shabaab militias beheaded a traditional elder as well as detained at least ten residents, accusing them of having relations with TFG and ASWJ. Since the militants recaptured El-Bur last week, they started to harass the people by killing, detaining and terrifying them.
Radio Andalus - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
Reports from Bakol region indicated that heavy fighting between al-Shabaab Mujahideens and Ethiopian infidels took place in Teeda village, 30 kilometer from Hudur town, on Wednesday afternoon. According to al-Shabaab military officials, the fighting erupted when the Mujahideens ambushed an Ethiopian convoy from Hudur town heading to El-Barde district. Some reports say that the fighting continued over an hour and the Mujahideens burned Ethiopian military vehicles. It is also reported heavy fighting between the infidels and the Mujahideen took place in between Afgoye and Mogadishu.
Al-Shabaab's artillery contingent on Wednesday shelled at the biggest military base of the Ethiopian Christians in Beledeweyne town of Hiiraan region. Local residents told Radio Andalus that dozens of mortars hit the base located in western Beledeweyne, causing heavy casualties on the enemy. Although the real numbers of casualties remains unknown, but the infidels met heavy losses since all the mortars hit their base.
Radio Al-Furqaan - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed expressed his disappointment with the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Wabho and El-bur districts in Galgadud region which were then seized by al-Shabaab Mujahideen. “It’s a big disappointment. We did not like that, but it happened and there is a reason behind the retreat,” he said.
Radio Bar-Kulan - An independent radio station
A public forum intended to promote Somali arts and music was today held at the Center for Research and Developments’ (CRD) headquarters in Mogadishu. The forum was attended by Somali politicians and some musical bands including Horsed and Waberi. Speaking at the opening of the forum, Somali legislator Mohamed Omar Dalha said unity among Somali artists can resolve the current social and political crisis in the country. A similar sentiment was echoed by the head of the CRD, Jibril Abdulle saying that through such forums, the dignity and reputation of Somali artists and musicians will be restored after more than two decades of political instability in the country. The managing director of the Somali National Theater Cabdi Yussuf Hassan who also spoke at the start of the event thanked the organizers of the event, particularly the CRD saying that the organisation also played a key role in reviving the National Theater.
President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed assured the Somali military forces that they will soon receive their monthly salaries. Speaking at Marerey village on the outskirts of Afgoye town on Wednesday, the president said his government is working on plans to make sure that the armed forces are paid monthly for their services. He said plans are now underway to pay the forces. The president however called on the armed forces to uphold the rule of law and stick on to their achievements as far as the fight against al-Shabaab is concerned.