COMMENTARY ON ISLAMIC WEBSITES
Somali Memo - The pro-al-Shabaab website claimed Mogadishu's traditional elders (Hawiye Clan Council of Elders) are fearful they will be targeted by suicide attacks after elder Mohamed Hassan Haad, Chairman of Hawiye Elders, narrowly escaped a suicide attack yesterday. The private car of elder Mohamed Hassan Haad was targeted with an IED while it was parked at the house of Ahmed Dirie Ali, the Spokesman of Hawiye Clan Council of Elders.Somali Language
POLITICS
Somaliland Press - In a breakthrough development, Somaliland and Somalia are set to initiate the first formal talks on intricate bilateral issues in an effort to finally end the saber-rattling between the two nations, Somalilandpress reports. The strategic dialogue was first proposed by the British government during a conference on Somalia held in London on 23 February 2012. The final communiqué recognized the need for negotiations between Hargeisa and Mogadishu "in order to clarify their future relations." The British government said it was offering its mediation services and an attempt to officially get the two sides to the negotiation table for the first time in two decades is currently underway. The meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday in the British capital and will be closely monitored by key international players.
Garowe Online - Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Gaas requested that the traditional elders speed up the selection of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA), Garowe Online reports. Transitional Federal Government Prime Minister Gaas, who spoke to the 135 traditional elders in Mogadishu, asked the body to speed up the selection so that the process sees no further setbacks. "We are asking that you keep in mind, the deadline for the end of the transition and we ask that you provide us with the list of the NCA members who will vote on the Somalia constitution which is a vital document crucial to ending the transitional period," said Prime Minister Gaas.
SECURITY/AL-SHABAAB
All Africa - Heavy fighting broke out between Somali government troops allied with Ahlu Sunna Waljama' (ASWJ) fighters and al-Shabaab militants at townships in Gedo region of southwestern Somalia, reports. Witnesses said, the battle started after Somali government soldiers and ASWJ fighters attacked a convoy of vehicles carrying al-Shabaab militants at Tulo-Barwaqo area in Gedo region controlled by the Islamist. Sheikh Mohammed Hussein (Al Qadi), the spokesman of ASWJ, confirmed to Shabelle media that the coalition forces have killed at least two al-Shabaab combatants while many others injured during their attack.
Yemen Post - An Al-Qaida suicide bomber on Monday blew himself up killing the commander of the southern military region Muhammad Salim Qatan in Yemen's portal city of Aden, a senior official at the interior ministry said. The bomber was a Somali and the attack occurred while the commander was on his way to work, the official said. Qatan led military operations to drive Al-Qaeda militants out of their strongholds in Abyan province over the past few months.
Horseed Media - Forces loyal to the Puntland government recaptured a strategic border village of Tukaraq near Las Anod, the regional capital of the disputed region of Sool. Earlier the Puntland forces that were stationed near the village of Tukaraq withdrew from the area after some soldiers of Puntland joined the militia of Khatumo administration, which is a local administration that is seeking their own state as part of the Somali Federation.
The Star - SECURITY personnel are on high alert along the Kenya Somali border in Ras Kamboni to prevent any suspected al-Shabaab militia men from entering Kenya. This follows the recent arrests by Kenyan security personnel of foreigners suspected to be from the terror group at Boni Forest. Lamu East DC Pius Murugu assured the public and tourists that the Kenya-Somali border is under 24-hour surveillance to prevent the al-Shabaab from entering Kenya. Speaking at Faza Island at the weekend he said the Kenya Police reservist at Boni Forest have also helped the security forces in reporting cases of the militia men attempting to sneak into the country. "The area is safe, crime rate has gone down and security personnel are on a 24-hour surveillance to detect any suspected al-Shabaab militia men who want to enter the country," he said.
OP-ED
Foreign Policy - The author, President of Puntland Abdiruhman Farole, urged the international community to collaborate with local administrations to combat piracy and terrorism in Somalia and said the Puntland Marine Police Force was making great strides in securing the region. "Increased support for Somalia's regional authorities--the only institutions currently capable of establishing security and the rule of law--is a matter of great urgency."
RADIO ROUNDUP
Radio Mogadishu - A pro-government radio station
Somali government security forces detained at least ten al-Shabaab suspects in a massive security operation at Hiliwa district of Mogadishu on Monday. The chairman of Hiliwa, Omar Jafan, stated that they have arrested several criminals committing crimes against the Somali civilians. The chairman vowed that the security operations will continue until they secure the district.
Representatives of Somaliland reached London on Monday to attend the negotiations between Somaliland and the TFG, which begin tomorrow. The Somaliland representatives included the foreign minister, the deputy speaker of Somaliland's parliament, the chairman of opposition party of UCID and labor minister.
Radio Andalus - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
At least 13 pro-infidel militias were killed and more than ten were injured as three separate fights between the Mujahideens and the pro-infidels militias took place in Banadir and Lower Juba regions. Al-Shabaab military spokesman Sheikh Abdiaziz Abu Mus’ab stated that the first operation took place in Sharif Abdinur village on the outskirts of Mogadishu and seven militias including a top officer were killed in the attack. Abu Mus’ab added that a least six militias were killed and ten injured after fighting took place in Elasha-biyaha village. The Mujahideens also burned a military vehicle as they ambushed a convoy of infidels in between Taabta and Dhooblay districts of Lower Juba region.
Reports from Guri’el district in Galgadud region indicated that the Ethiopian Christian troops have vacated the district. Local residents told Radio Andalus that they saw more than 40 Ethiopian vehicles and tanks pulling out from the district and they were heading to the border town of Balanbal. The pro-infidel militias are confronted by fear and disappointment since they can’t fight with the Mujahideens without Ethiopia.
Radio Al-Furqaan - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
A major political rift emerged between Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Prime Minister Abdiwali Mohamed Ali over the draft Constitution. The conflict started when the Somali PM supported the plan of the constitutional minister who proposed the disbanding the independent constitutional committee. President Sharif opposed the idea. It is reported that all attempted negotiations failed so far.
Radio Bar-Kulan - An independent radio station
Al-Shabaab militant group has for the first time revealed its fear that it is possible Middle Shabelle region will fall into Somali government’s hand a time the African Union and Somali forces are saying they are closing in on parts of the region. Speaking at a mosque in Jowhar town on Sunday, the al-Shabaab’s leader of Middle Shabelle region, Yussuf Isse (Kaba ku-tukade), reportedly urged locals to stay calm and work with his militant group. He said they are aware of government and AMISOM supporters in the region and threatened to deal with them if they ever set foot inside Jowhar town, adding that they will also target them in other areas of the region. His sentiment comes days after Somali military officials claimed they are less than 10 kilometres from Bal’ad town.
A UN facilitated seminar for Banadir women concluded today in Mogadishu. The seminar which brought together 37 female participants aimed at enhancing women's participation in politics and their role in deciding the future of the country. It was organized by the Somali Women Affairs Ministry and facilitated by United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS). Meanwhile, another two day seminar for youths today kicked off in the central Somali town of Beledweyne, where over twenty youths will be taught on how to achieve lasting peace in the region. The youth are expected to harmonize the relationship between the public and the regional administration as well as counting the number of local business premises in the town.
Radio Kulmiye - An independent radio station
The administration of the mini-state of Khatumo (Sool, Sanaag and Cayn) of eastern Somalia stated over 100 soldiers defected from Puntland during a conflict at Tuka-Raq district in the region. The director of the presidential palace of Khatumo state Fuad Abdullah Haji told reporters that defecting Puntland soldiers have joined Khatumo forces in the region. "We have just welcomed 100 defectors from Puntland. They just decided their own future, and to be aside of their people,” he said. Tensions were on the rise between the two states since clashes broke out in the region after Puntland said it was pursuing Somali pirates and other militants in the region. Meanwhile Khatumo’s defense minister said last week Puntland is interfering Khatumo.