al-Shabaab Murders Warsame Shire Awale Over Criticism

Gunmen have assassinated a well-known comedian and musician who poked fun at al-Shabab fighters in the Somali capital, police and colleagues have said, the latest in a string of attacks against media and cultural figures.


Warsame Shire Awale, a famous composer who had worked with Somalia's national army band before joining Radio Kulmiye as a drama producer and comedian, was attacked by two armed men in Mogadishu, the capital, late on Monday.

"Gunmen killed him ... we are investigating the matter and the killers will be brought to justice," police chief Ahmed Hassan Malin told journalists.

"Two men armed with pistols shot and wounded him near his house in Waberi district, he died shortly after in hospital," said Abdi Mohamed Haji, a colleague at Radio Kulmiye.
Ali Mohamed Hussein, a senior al-Shabab official, said denied the group were responsible for the death, blaming instead government forces whom he said "kill people for their telephones and their petty belongings".
"This gentleman was an old man and we had no wish to kill him," Hussein said. "Blaming al-Shabab for this is a politically motivated issue."
There is no doubt that Shabaab and those sympathetic to the terrorists murdered this man. Shabaab's press office are known liars, but its nice of al-Jazeera to slip in the savages denial so I don't have to go look for it.H\T The Jawa Report: al-Shabaab Murders Warsame Shire Awale Over Criticism

Al-Shabaab’s Changing State in Somalia

What began as an plan in July 2011 to push al-Shabaab from its bases in the capital Mogadishu turned quickly into a larger scale operation–with the help of Kenyan and Ethiopian forces and proxy militias–to force al-Shabaab out of all its strongholds in South Central Somalia.Today, al-Shabaab continues to be on the run, as they continue to be pursued by the Somali National Army (SNA) and its allies in AMISOM.Though al-Shabaab still controls many small towns, it has lost significant territory overall–including cities such as Beledweyne, Baidoa, and most recently its economic hub of Kismayo, which has deprived it of tens of millions of dollars in revenue from port taxes on commercial activities and easy access to receive military equipment..more

Should the United States worry about the youth of Somalia?

The new threats issued by this week from Harakat al Shabaab al Mujahideen, the Movement of Striving Youth in Arabic, include a reference to the United States. Although they are mostly directed at the United Kingdom, they pose an interesting question for American national security analysts: where is the al Qaeda-allied Islamic movement in Somalia going next?

Earlier this year the House Committee on Homeland Security found the United States to be the “primary exporter of Western fighters to al Shabaab” with fifteen Americans killed in fighting there, including America’s first three suicide bombers.

More propaganda than a specific operational command, the series of threatening 140-character messages from #HSMPress, al Shabaab’s English language twitter account, likely reflect a changing face of Somali militancy rather than an elevated threat to the United States or its international partners.

A breakaway faction of the Islamic Courts Union and energized by widely held resentment against the Ethiopian invasion of 2006, al Shabaab has become more internationally focused over time, especially following its public merger with al Qaeda earlier this year. Although the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counter Terrorism, John Brennan, described the move as a “merger between two organizations in decline”, the United States subsequently put bounties on the heads of several al Shabaab leaders, reflecting continuing concerns about the movement’s capabilities.

Al Shabaab historically cut across clan divisions and in recent years has been focused on repelling a Transitional Government for Somalia. It was a radical, youth-based offshoot of the Islamic Courts Union. The latter grew, in a distant echo of the Afghan Taleban, from within communities, in opposition to violent clan-based warlordism and brought a unifying form of Islamic justice to large swathes of the country.

Now it has evolved into two main factions; one with an agenda looking towards global terrorism, led by Mokhtar Ali Zubeyr “Godane”, and a coalition of factions with a Somali Islamist agenda under Sheikh Mukhtar Robow. Often factionalized the most obvious split became evident during the famine last year when Godane’s stance on preventing aid relief into areas of southern Somalia lost the movement Somali support.

As al Shabaab has been pushed out of its homelands, first of Mogadishu and then latterly Kismayo, over the past twelve months, the movement is evolving quickly and somewhat unpredictably. However, an understanding of where al Shabaab has come from historically, the factors at play and the dynamics it is experiencing are a useful insight into where the once pre-eminent Somali Islamist insurgent group is going, but also the future hopes of the Somali people.

The nationalist agenda of al Shabaab, for now, seems ideologically and financially marginalized. The movement lost major sources of funding from inside Somalia after it was forced out of Bakara Market in Mogadishu and then Kismayo port, following operations by Kenyan, Ethiopian and AMISOM forces. To some degree too, a worldwide ban on the import of Somali charcoal and a reportedly diminishing supply of arms from Eritrea have had an impact. It has lost notable leaders recently and lost a useful ally when Hizbul Islam broke away earlier this year.

Cut off from its main historic sources of funding, increasingly factionalized and losing popularity the remaining leaders are looking to prove the movement’s relevance, attract new recruits, including foreign fighters, and source funding in order to survive. The language and message of the tweet regarding Abu Hamza will be lost on many youth in Somalia but makes for an interesting, new lever in bringing potential recruits from the worldwide Somali diaspora into the fold.

Inside Somalia, whether Shabaab is irreversibly retreating or regrouping will only become clear with time. Since the beginning of this year the movement’s fighters have certainly fragmented, leaving for the mountainous areas of Puntland, building stronger ties with groups in Yemen, encouraging extremist groups in Kenya and trying to consolidate their control in the remoter rural areas of Somalia’s south central. One well-known analyst on Somalia sees al Shabaab as knocked down, but not out.

The displacement and changing nature of the threat from al Shabaab will be worrying United States officials. That fighters and munitions are turning up in the relatively stable northern area of Somalia, where there are no African Union troops, may cast a shadow over the military-led, “offshore balancing” strategy, focused on fighting militants in the south of Somalia.

Yet it is further south still, over the border in Kenya’s capital, coast and restive North East province, where there has been the most notable increase in violence, since the Kenya military joined the war in Somalia last year. Kenya may well have the most to lost with an increasingly volatile Islamic movement at its northern porous border and with Presidential elections around the corner. Human Rights Watch logged twenty four attacks, in the majority Somali North East, between October 2011 and February 2012, and the attacks are continuing, provoking violent security clampdowns which risk stoking the fire of radicalization further.

The International Crisis Group has reported on increased radicalization in Kenya and lays out the often missed, powerful demographic, economic and political trends of influence Somalia is having on Kenya. These underlying trends will likely have been at the back of the minds of senior State Department officials as they tried to dissuade the Kenyan government from their risky invasion of Somalia, even years before the plan sprung into action.

Al Shabaab appears to be attempting a strategic adaptation, turning from a conventional fighting force when it fought from a frontline of trenches that divided the capital until August last year to an internationally-focused guerrilla force using more specialized assymetric tactics, including social media to keep itself in the global spotlight. A few recent high-profile suicide attacks on senior Somali government figures were effective in capturing the attention of the world’s media. A campaign of suicide bombings requires more ideological and better trained recruits.

Until only a few years ago, the Islamist movement operated throughout south central Somalia, including controlling most of the the capital. It is too early to tell if the attempt to regroup and ideologically change course are simply the last desperate gasps of a spent force.

However, the unstoppable resurgence of the Taleban in Afghanistan, a movement once thought to be defeated, is a useful reminder to question assumptions and look well beyond the military successes. Many insurgencies have shown themselves to be adaptable, latching on to causes of conflict as they change. Clanism, the absence of socially acceptable and unifying governance and a severely damaged society, that created the violent Islamist movement in the first place, are still present in today’s Somalia. Al Shabaab is only the most obvious and recent manifestation of Somalia’s long-running conflict.

Somalia’s youth and their families will need to continue to feel that they have better lives after al Shabaab’s rule if the movement is to be eradicated forever. With forces from neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia still present in large areas of Somalia and few signs of a notable improvement in basic services and security for the population, time continues to eat away at opportunities to build confidence in the future of the country.via

AMERICAN SECURITY PROJECT

 

Minn. man convicted of aiding Somalia terror group(Terror pipeline Minneapolis and Somalia )

Two militant suspects killed in police raid on Kenyan coast

MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) - Kenyan police shot dead a Muslim cleric suspected of ties to Somalia's al Shabaab militants in the city of Mombasa on Sunday, the latest in a string of raids against alleged sympathizers of the Islamist militants along the east African coast.

Local residents said gunfire erupted in the early hours when police broke into Omar Faraj's house in the city's rundown Majengo district, the same area where the radical preacher Aboud Rogo, shot dead in August by unknown gunmen, held sermons.Riot police patrolled Majengo's garbage-clogged streets and tensions ran high in the morning, raising fears of a repeat of the deadly rioting that broke out after Rogo's killing.Police said a man arrested on Saturday carrying grenades on a bus to Mombasa had led them to Faraj's house. He was also killed by gunfire during the raid, police said, without explaining the exact circumstances.

Neighbors said they collected dozens of spent bullet cartridges and tear gas canisters.

"We have compelling reason to believe that the suspects had ties with a terrorist organization. We are linking them with al Shabaab," John Gachomo, deputy criminal investigation officer for Kenya's Coast region, told Reuters.

He declined to give further details, saying two more suspects being held in custody were providing information.The August clashes in Mombasa exposed the social, political and sectarian divides that run deep along the Swahili coastline, including across the border in Tanzania, and raised the specter of more violence ahead of Kenya's presidential election next year.Kenya's Muslims on the coast and in major urban areas have long complained they are marginalized by the predominantly Christian political class and are frequently the victims of heavy-handed policing by security forces.

"My brother was a peaceful man. He was humble and had no problem with anyone," Faraj's brother told reporters outside the mortuary as dozens of supporters chanted Islamic slogans.

Kenya's poor Muslim neighborhoods have proved fertile recruitment ground for al Shabaab, a Somalia-based Islamist militant group. Al Shabaab is seen as a serious threat to stability in east Africa even though the rebels are losing ground against a military offensive in Somalia.

There has been a surge in grenade and gun attacks along the coast, in Nairobi and on the border with Somalia since Kenya sent troops into the Horn of Africa country to help crush the al Shabaab rebellion.Salim Japher Salim, who heads the Forum for Islam Unity in Mombasa denied Faraj was a "terrorist"."This deliberate attack on Muslims is unacceptable. It is provocation and whatever happens after this, it will be entirely the government to blame," Salim said.

During Sunday's raid, police said they recovered a pistol, binoculars and a GPS locating device.

Al shabaab ambush kills General Mohamad Farah ( Gordon) and 10 other somali troops ,Somalia's General Farah killed in al-Shabab ambush

Mogadishu , Somalia —  The Al-Qaeda-inspired Al-Shabab militants in Somalia have killed killed  General Mohamad Farah, (Gordon) the somali army Five Division Commander   and 10 other somali  troops in an ambush in villages between city of  Afgoi and marka  police and government officials said sunday .

A spokesman said the Somali troops — which included both soldiers and police were searching sunday  for a group of insurgents who had earlier set up a roadblock, stopping and seizing passing vehicles, when they were ambushed.

 “We extend our heartfelt condolences at this difficult time all of the families of fallen soldiers .

Somalia's General Farah killed in al-Shabab ambush

Kenyan Cop probed for al Shabaab link

A police officer at the Nanyuki police station is being questioned over a syndicate bringing in al Shabaab militia from Somalia. Laikipia East police boss Joshua Lutukai said on Friday the constable is said to be collaborating with a soldier at the Laikipia Airbase.

“The officer was arrested on Monday and spent the night at the cells before being escorted to the CID headquarters in Nairobi on Tuesday,’’ said Lutakai. He said the man was arrested in Nanyuki town with five suspected al Shabaab members in his vehicle.

Is voter fraud being committed in Ohio? - Conservative News

Is voter fraud being committed in Ohio? - Conservative News

Somali Americans For Mitt. Anti-Terrorism Voters Somali-Americans

Muslims in Somalia celebrate Eid amid improved security

Muslims in Somalia celebrate Eid amid improved... by presstv

 

Muslims across the globe are marking the Islamic holiday of Eid Ul Adha or the feast of Sacrifice. Mogadishu residents are optimistic following the improved security situation in Mogadishu.

During Eid celebrations, Muslims sacrifice animals. The act commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrificing of his son by God’s decree, before God provided Ibrahim with a ram to sacrifice instead.

Livestock traders tried to make a boom in theirs sales where one goat was traded for as much as $130. Traders argue that the high price was as a result of fewer animals for slaughter following a devastating drought in mid-2011 that claimed many livestock.

Cloth merchants in Mogadishu also reported high demand for clothes especially for children. The prices of clothes also skyrocketed as families tried to please their children by buying them a variety range of clothes and toys for celebrating Eid ul Adha.

It is also customary during Eid to remember those less fortunate, such as orphans, internally displaced persons and people still suffering from the effects of insecurity and hunger. The UN estimates that more than 7.5 million people in the Horn of Africa need food aid, but 2.5 million are in peril in the region of south-central Somalia.

With a new administration in place following the end of an eight year old transitional administration, Somalis are hopeful that the roads linking the regions of Somalia will be reopened and allow the flow of aid to the people recovering from the effects of the 2011 famine.

Mogadishu residents are able to visit their relatives and friends and celebrate Eid Ul Adha in the other towns of Afgoye, Balad, and Marka that were recently liberated by government forces with the support of the African Union troops.

African Union forces Uganda contingent with the Somali National Army (SNA), Overruns Al-Shabaab Hideout

The Uganda contingent of the African Union forces in Somalia has raided an al-Shabaab hideout in the thickets of Albao, 20km north-west of Mogadishu, seizing several military hardware and items used for terrorism attacks.

The Uganda contingent backed by the Somali National Army (SNA), in an overnight operation captured six ready-to-use improvised explosive devises (IED), two remote controls and one IED manual, officials and commanders from the field said on telephone.

AMISOM forces did not incur any loss or injury in the operation, said Brig. Michael Ondoga, the Ugandan contingent commander."We are committed in supporting the Somali people in attaining peace," Ondoga noted, adding: "Such operations will continue day and night to wipe out the few remaining pockets of the insurgents. Since we denied them their traditional urban centres, they have resorted to living a wild life in thickets."Ondoga again waved an olive branch for the militants to end rebellion and join in the reconstruction of Somalia. "We call upon them to disengage so they can stop living in the bushes," he said.Other items collected after the attack on al-Shabaab were six nicad batteries, five dozens of dry cells used for IED remote control and half a dozen offensive grenades.Ammunition taken from the al-Shabaab hideout comprised 14 sub-machine guns with 34 magazines, two PK machine-guns with five chains, two pistols and one rocket-propelled grenade pipe with three bombs.Also confiscated were four fuses, eight pairs of military uniforms, one GPS (Global Positioning System), one VHF radio, one walkie-talkie, five solar panels, one campus, 18 magazine pouches and 2,435 bullets of different calibers.Others were a laptop computer, 14 mobile telephones, two military water bottles and valuable literature.This operation comes at a time when AMISOM and the SNA are restoring calm in sector one after a spate of terrorist activities in Mogadishu over the last month.Over the last one month, the allied forces have arrested, from multiple targets within the vicinity of Mogadishu, suspected key masterminds of the terrorist attacks and recovered ammunition from them.Al-shabaab retreated from Mogadishu in August last year.

AL-SHABAAB SUFFERS DOUBLE SET BACK IN KISMAYU AND ALBAO-Troops Capture 72 Suspected Al Shabaab

Kenyan troops in the UN-backed Africa Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said Tuesday they have arrested 72 suspected Al-Shabaab militants as pacification operations

MOGADISHU, Oct 25, 2012 (terrorfreesomalia)  --AMISOM coalition forces in Somalia have carried out two overnight operations against Al Shabaab targets outside Mogadishu and in Kismayo which represent a double set back for the Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group.

 

During Monday night, AMISOM troops from the Ugandan contingent successfully raided an Al Shabaab hideout at Albao, 20 kilometres north-west of Mogadishu. A significant cache of weapons, improvised explosive devices, grenades and communications equipment was seized which can no longer be used against the local population.

On Tuesday night, Somali government forces together with AMISOM troops conducted a night raid at a recently established Al-Shabaab observation post near the new airport in Kismayo, which was secured on 2 October. During the raid, an assortment of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the site.

AMISOM Force Commander Lt-Gen Andrew Gutti said: "I pay tribute to the AMISOM coalition forces that continue to conduct operations across Somalia with the same goal: to work with the Somali government and its people to build a Somalia where its citizens can go about their daily lives in safety and provide for their families with confidence and dignity."


 

Somalia Al Shabaab militants threaten British attack.Shabaab Releases Statement on Britain’s Extradition of Abu Hamza al-Masri

MOGADISHU: Somalia's Islamist Al Shabaab militia on Monday warned Britain it would "pay the heftiest price" for its "war against Islam" and the extradition of radical cleric Abu Hamza to the United States.

In a series of eleven posts written by Al Shabaab's Press Office on its Twitter page, the radical group threatened to inflict on Britain its worst-ever attack."The nightmare that surreptitiously looms on British shores is bound to eclipse the horrors of 7/7 and 21/7 combined," said one message. The London bombings on July 7, 2005, were a series of co-ordinated suicide attacks on the city's public transport, which killed 52 civilians and the four bombers.

Two weeks later, four attempted bomb attacks disrupted part of the city's public transport system.Another message read: "Britain will pay the heftiest price for its brazen role in the war against Islam and endless brutality against innocent Muslims."The Al-Qaeda linked group also vowed to "go to every possible length to attain the freedom of imprisoned Muslim scholars."

A 17,000-strong African Union force, fighting alongside government forces, has in recent months wrested control of a string of Shebab strongholds including the bastion of Kismayo, a strategic southern port.Radical preacher Hamza and four other terrorism suspects were extradited to the US earlier this month after a British court rejected their last-ditch attempts to block their removal. A legal saga that dragged on for more than a decade in the courts of Britain and Europe finally ended when two senior judges at the High Court in London dismissed the men's pleas to be allowed a stay of extradition.

The Al Shabaab's messages came as three British Muslim men went on trial on Monday accused of planning a string of bombings that prosecutors said could have been deadlier than the 7/7, 2005 attacks on London.The three men have all denied the charges. (Sapa-AFP)

Mmegi Online :: Somalia Al Shabaab militants threaten British attack

Somalia's al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab stoned a early teen girl to death

MOGADISHU (terrorfreesomalia)—Al Shabaab has stoned a early teen girl  to death for alleged (sin) adultery  in Lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia, witnesses said on Wednesday.Hundreds of villagers can be seen standing around as the early teen girl   is buried up to her waist in a four foot hole in the ground. A self-proclaimed militant judge gave the death penalty order.Sharia judge  town of jowhar Lower Shabelle region  pass sentence before the crowd begins to throw rocks at her head and body , she collapses to the ground, covered in blood . alleged teen boyfriend has been sentenced to 100 lashes...H\T galcad24

Sentences and punishment happen at the same time without allowing the accused any appeal, that is rule of Al-Qeada linked Group Al-shabaab

we will update you with more details if they become available
 

Italian FM in surprise visit to Somalia - Africa - Al Jazeera English

The Italian foreign minister has made a surprise visit to Somalia in an effort to renew ties, news agencies have reported.Giulio Terzi's visit to the capital Mogadishu on Tuesday is the first high-level visit from an official from Rome in two decades.Welcoming Terzi, Somalia's newly elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said he was looking forward torenewed co-operation between his country and its former colonial master."Previously, Italian governments took part in development process in Somalia and now they are coming backto help with development and stability of Somalia," Mohamud told a news conference.Terzi's visit is likely to be seen as a sign of improved security and confidence since Africa Union troops drove al-Shabab fighters out of the capital and other major cities which were previously under their control.Terzi said his country would co-operate with Somalia in areas of development and security within the country."[This is] the opportunity to assure the president of a strong commitment from the Italian government and all theItalian institutions of increased areas of co-operations which grow from economic development, legal system,judiciary and also co-operation among security operations and defence," Terzi said.

Terzi's visit comes just days after the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced the building of a new refugee camp in Ethiopia to deal with the continued influx of Somalis into the country.

"With people still arriving at Dollo Ado, the Ethiopian Government has authorised the opening of a sixth site and land for this has been designated between the town of Kole and Kobe camp, some 54 kilometres north of Dollo Ado town," Andrej Mahecic, a spokesperson UNHCR, said.,,,more

Italian FM in surprise visit to Somalia - Africa - Al Jazeera English

Somalia: Puntland military court sentences Yemeni to death on terrorism charges

GAROWE, Somalia Oct 24, 2012 (terrorfreesomalia) - A military court in Somalia’s northern region of Puntland has convicted a Yemeni national on terrorism charges and sentenced him to death, Garowe Online reports.

On Tuesday, Puntland military court’s First Instance Court convicted 50-year old Yemeni national Salihi Afifi Al Amoudi of conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism on Puntland soil. Court prosecutor Abdikarim Hassan Firdhiye said Mr. Al Amoudi was charged under Puntland Anti-Terrorism Law and Article 221 of Somali Penal Code.

The prosecutor said Mr. Al Amoudi was arrested by Puntland security forces in the coastal town of Habo in July, 2012. Mr. Al Amoudi was transporting a cache of weapons from Yemen to Puntland, including pistols, rocket propelled grenades, hand grenades, fuses, and wires used to make explosives.

The Puntland military court chairman, Mr. Ahmed Abdi Botan, declared a sentence of death on Mr. Al Amoudi under the terrorism charges forwarded by the government prosecutor. Mr. Amoudi can take the case to the court of appeals, court officials said.

Mr. Al Amoudi is the first non-Somali to be convicted on terrorism charges in Puntland.

On Oct. 20, Puntland government issued a press release stating that a huge consignment of weapons consisting of 37 sacks was captured by security forces in the coastal town of Qandala.

Since Aug. 2011, Puntland officials have said that Al Shabaab terror group is planning to establish bases in Golis mountain range hideouts stretching between Puntland and Somaliland.

Al Qaeda in east Africa Mercenary-Hitman farah Aidid with Yoweri Museveni & Amb. Sahnoun - 1992

My god Yoweri Museveni what the hell  he was  thinking back then

Hawiye Terrorist militian usc leader Mercenary-Hitman farah Aidid

Dark Day .history of Somalia .January 26, 1991.Collapse of the somali nation( Key Players )

 Rangers honor fallen brothers of Operation Gothic Serpent

La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno.it | Terzi pays surprise visit to Somalia

La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno.it | Terzi pays surprise visit to Somalia

Foreign minister makes first visit to Somalia by top Italian official in decades

Foreign minister makes first visit to Somalia by top Italian official in decades

Italian Foreign Minister lands in Somali capital Mogadishu

MOGADISHU (terrorfreesomalianews)—The Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi has paid a surprise visit to Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Tuesday to voice Italy’s support for the newly formed Federal Republic Government led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.It was the first visit to Mogadishu by an Italian foreign minister since 1992, and the only one by an EU foreign minister.During his trip, unannounced for security reasons, Terzi met President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Abdi Farah Shirdon Saacid at Villa Somalia, presidential palace under high security, voicing Italy’s full support for a unitary Somali Federal Government.Terzi said Italy would continue to back the Somali government’s fight against rebels and pirates and provide “strategic” development aid. The Somali president and prime minister voiced their “huge appreciation for the high political and symbolic value” of Terzi’s visit.Mogadishu is shifting from two decades of civil war to a quivering democracy and the country’s once-rampant al-Shabaab rebels were recently pushed out of their last stronghold into the countryside.

Ra’iisul W. Saacid oo Kulankii Ugu Horeeyey oo Ka Dhaca Xafiiskiisa La Yeeshay Ururada Bulshada Rayidka.

Ra’iisul W. Saacid oo Kulankii Ugu Horeeyey oo Ka Dhaca Xafiiskiisa La Yeeshay Ururada Bulshada Rayidka.


Muqdisho, Oct 22, 2012-----Ra’iisul Wasaaraha Soomaaliya Dr. Cabdi Faarax Shirdoon (Saacid) ayaa maanta xafiiskiisa ku qaabilay haween ka kala socday qeybaha bulshada Rayidka, wuxuuna Ra’iisul wasaaruhu la tashi ballaaran kala sameeyay qaabka loo wajahayo marxaladda cusub ee dalku galay.

Ra’iisul Wasaaraha ayaa kulankaan si daah furnaan ah su’aalo u weydiiyeen haweenkii shirka ka soo qeybgalay waxayna haweenku soo dhaweeyey Ra’iisul wasaaraha iyagoona u muujiyey inay la yeelan doonaan wada shaqayn joogta ah si laysku waydaarsado talooyinka wax ku ool ah, iygoona soo jeediyey in la badiyo kulamada noocaan ah si looga faa’iideysto maskaxda haweenka iyo dhamaan qeybaha bulshada rayidka ah.

Sidoo kale Marwo Caasho Shaacuur oo ka mid ah Madaxda Ururada Bulshada Rayidka ayaa aad uga hadashay dhibaatooyinka haysta haweenak.

“Haweenka Soomaaliyeed waxay sugayeen mudo badan inay helaan dowlad Soomaaliyeed oo Rasmi ah, dhibaatooyinkii ka dhacay dalka intooda ugu badan waxay soo gaareen haweenka iyo dhalinyarada waxaana markasta u taaganahay inaan safka hore ka galno sidii qaranimadii Soomaaliya dib loogu abuuri lahaa waxaana xog ogaal u nahay duruufaha ka dhex jira bulshada. haweenka Soomaaliyeed waxay xaga aqoonta uga jiraan kaalimaha ugu horeeya waana muhiim in xukuumada la dhisayo aan ku yeelano kaalin wax mug leh sababtoo ah Qaran waxaa lagu dhisi karaa marka haweenku qaataan doorkooda loona ogolaado xuquuqahooda asaasiga ah, waxaan maanta balan qaadaynaa inaan wada shaqayn joogta ah la yeelano dowlada anagoo magacaabi doona gudi arintaas ka shaqeeya”

Ugu dambeyntii Ra’iisul Wasaare Dr. Saacid waxa uu u balan qaaday in haweenka Soomaaliyeed iyo Bulshada Rayidka ah xafiiskiisu uu u furan yahay xilli kasta uuna sii wadi doono kulamada noocaan ah kuwaasoo talada lagu weydiinayo qeybaha shacabka Soomaaliyeed sida bulshada Rayidka, haweenka, odayaasha dhaqanka, Culimada iyo Aqoonyahanka ku sugan dalka gudihiisa iyo dibadiisa. Waxaadna maanta nasiib u yeelateen in kulankii ugu horeeyey oo ka dhaca xafiiskayga aad idinku ugu horaysaan taasna ay muujinayso tixgalinta aan u hayo Haweenka.


----Dhamaad---- .

Ambassador Mahiga doesn't really want Peace in Somalia ?Commemorating the 43th anniversary of Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre

 

Analysis: Once upon a time, Somalia was a peaceful state that supported many African and Asian countries to become independent nations.
 For example Somalia gave financial and political support to countries like South Africa, Bangladesh, Angola, Mozambique, Eritrea, Djibouti and many others to assist them in driving out western colonial powers but today the Somali people are left alone without any tangible positive help from their fellow Africans.

Its leader Mohamed Siad Barre who brokered tens of peace deals, including the famous “Mogadishu Accord” between Uganda and Tanzania on October 1972 which effectively stopped the conflict and war between the two East African countries.Wanume Kibedi, then Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Malecela his Tanzanian counterpart and Omar Arteh Ghaleb, the Secretary of State for the Foreign Affairs of Somali Republic, signed the agreement on behalf of their countries.The agreement also tightened the relationship between Uganda and Somalia and exchanged diplomatic visits followed. While speaking at the Independence Day celebrations, October 9, 1972, at Nakivubo Stadium in Kampala-Uganda, Siad Barre called on African countries to pool their resources and brains together to develop their countries instead of engaging in fighting among themselves. At the Independence Day reception, Somali musicians and dancers entertained the dignitaries.Siad Barre was awarded Uganda’s highest honor “The First Class Order of the Source of the Nile” in appreciation of his conciliatory effort in the Uganda-Tanzania conflict at the function.

At that time (1972), Ambassador Augustine Mahiga was special adviser to John Malecela, the Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, because they were family friends and it was a year later when Mahiga completes his Bachelor of Arts at the University of East Africa in Darasalam Tanzania.Before he (Mahiga) went to Canada to apply his PHD of International Relation at same year, he was appointed to be a member of senior National advisers.On October 20, 1972, a Uganda delegation of ministers, senior government and army officials left for Mogadishu to attend the third Somali Revolution Day celebrations set for October 21, but Tanzanian leader Julius Nyerere, who had accepted the invitation at the beginning of the month, refused to attend Somali’s Revolution Day celebrations and chose to abstain from the celebrations.His advisers, including Mahiga told the president not to go to Mogadishu, because they persuaded him a wrong policty – which they said that President Siad Barre loves Uganda and its leader Idi Amin so much, because they (Amin and Barre) are Muslims.Idi AMin seized the power in a military coup in 1971, similar to 1969 Si’ad Barre’s coup in Somalia, The Tanzanian Leader Nyerere offered sanctuary to ousted Uganda’s president Milto Obotte, as they were friends and both Obote and Nyerere attempted to wipe out Amin’s government, but failed to remove him.

Mahiga and Somalia.

Somali and Tanzania established diplomatic relations on 1962, but the diplomatic relations deteriorated in 1972 and since that time the situation remains the same. Mahiga was the man who told his friend John Malecela the Minister of Foreign affairs to destroy the two buildings of Somali Embassy in Daraslam, but Italian Ambassador to Tanzania warned and told them if they do so they will violate the diplomacy rules and the laws of International relations. He told them that Italy will stop the development project including the (Tanzanian Italian Petroleum Refinery Co. Ltd.) in Dar es Salaam which was built between 1964 and 1966 by Snam Progetti in collaboration with Saipem.Its because of the fact that Italy colonized Somalia and enjoyed a strong relations with the Somali regime that Italy decided to react aggressively towards the Tanzanian project of demolishing the Somali embassy premises and level it to the ground, some Tanzanian officials even suggested to rise the Tanzanian flag on the top of the Somali embassy’s wreckage.
After receiving his PHD in International Relations from the University of Toronto 1975, he come back to Darasalam and immediately he was appointed as the chief of staff and special adviser to the President on international relations.
Two years later August 17, 1977, when the War between Somalia and Ethiopian begun Ambassador Mahiga flew to Addis Ababa and met Ethiopian leader Mengistu Haile Mariam. He told them that Tanzania will support Ethiopians in driving back the attacking Somali forces across the border. since then its widely believed that he is a close trusted friend by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zanawi who arguably doesn’t want to see stable and peaceful Somalia again. And for that sake he transferred the Somali crisis file into the hands of his notorious secret service agents who deal with the Somali political issues from their Intelligence and national security prospective.
When the ongoing disaster in Somalia started in 1991, Mahiga sent an official letter to the man who’s clan militia drove president Mahamed Sia’d Barre’s dictatorial regime from the capital city of Mogadishu congratulating him for the job they have done. He then rushed to Nairobi and met Aidid’s envoy to Kenya.
In 1992 Mahiga met with Mohamed Sahnoun (Algeria) who was the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to Somalia – the man who gave his heart and sincere efforts to the Somali people to ensure lasting peace and stability in Somalia, he tried to convey a phony information about Somali People, but Sahnoun rejected Mahiga’s malicious report.Shockingly, Mohamed Sahnoun was sacked after seven gold months with Somali People by Secretary-General Kofi Annan.Mahiga played a crucial role in the genocide that Ethiopian troops committed in capital Mugadisho and around the country. He is the man who campaigned for Ethiopia’s invasion in Somalia and consequently the rise of the radical forces in Somalia, its worth mentioning that before the Ethiopian invasion Al-shabaab was small sect who bended them self’s within the ICU forces due to their relatively small numbers and their limited acceptance from the local Somali population due to their ultra conservative interpretations of Islam. Its the Ethiopian invasion who gave them the crucial boost they needed, thousands of angry young Somali men joined their militia and millions of dollars in donations were channeled to them from the concerned Somalis around the globe. Amb Mahige takes major credit for that because he was among Horn of Africa panel of experts who campaigned for the Ethiopian invasion.Augustine Mahiga, 66-year old was nominated by United Nation’s Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon on June 9, 2010, now he is the United Nations Special Representative for Somalia and the head of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia. Many Somalis believe that this is a clear diplomatic mistake committed by Ban Kin Moon – it’s a mistake, because this is the man who always gave the wrong impression about Somali political issues and its people, and more importantly his previous decisions about Somalia yielded a severe consequences.Judging by his previous approaches towards Somalia, it’s very obvious that Mr.Mahiga is not the right man for this position and many Somali politicians still view him negatively due to his previous hostile approaches towards the Somali interests. His current approaches towards Somalia speaks for it self–when the government started its long waited offensive against Al-shabaab in Mogadishu and shortly when the first positive results emerged, Mr.Mahiga announced the so called Nairobi meeting which is an obvious attempt to delegitimize the Somali government and it will give crucial moral support for Al-shabaab and other destructive tribal militias who doesn’t want peace and stability in Somalia for their own selfish interests– I’m afraid that for Mr. Mahiga its business as usual and I’m confident that alot of fraudulent cash exchanges will be involved in this proposed meeting as its the usual in all UNPOS organized conferences and meetings about Somalia–this money should’ve been redirected to the suffering Somali people back home.Have a look the first Ten months he was in charge when 65% of the donated money from the International community is missing.He don’t give a shit Somali families, without doubt he doesn’t even know about Somali people that they desperately need UN humanitarian aid.The Somali Transitional Government is widely portrait as “UN BACKED GOVERNMENT” the real persistent question is, to what extent that UN is really backing the TFG, at the moment we all can see that UNPOS is working on delegitimizing the Somali government at the time when surprisingly the Somali government is showing real commitment towards reclaiming its territories from the anti peace elements, the question is ” Why Now?”.
In Conclusion, The majority of Somali people doesn’t trust Mr. Mahiga due to his previous hostile malicious approaches towards the Somali political issues, the ordinary Somalis believe that Mr.Mahiga is part of the Ethiopian strategy in Somalia, this strategy is the biggest obstacle towards maintaining lasting peace and stability in Somalia, the Somali factors who aligned them selfs as enforcing elements of this illicit strategy can not be ignored as well. Mr. Mahiga him self is a great obstacle and currently he is ” Ethiopian Trojan Horse” who doesn’t want peace and stability in Somalia but rather the continuation of this ongoing chaos will serve his own selfish interests and that of his country and Ethiopia as well.We should listen to the Somali voices both in side Somalia and the Diaspora communities, I’m quite sure that the overwhelming majority will vote in favor of immediate resignation of the agent of destruction (Mr.Mahiga). I personally will invite the UN and Mahiga him self to observe the vote counting process.Somali need an envoy like the widely respected Mohamed Sahnoun, because the time is up now and it’s the moment that we must reclaim our country back from Al-shabaab and other destructive forces including Mr.Mahiga, clan administrations, pirates…etc.

Warfa Garad Jama
Terror Free Somalia Political Analyst
Mogadishu-Somalia.
Email: garaad1996@hotmail.com
siad Barre was the lion of Africa....Interview with former Somali President Siad Barre - 1978
Thanks to Siad Barre and his nationalist government
Ethiopia's war with Somalia in 1967-1970
Great Videos. then we were the masters of Africa : Somalia embarassed ,Russia, yemen,Cuba (video) The Capture of Jigjiga (Jijiga) in the 1977 War Between Ethiopia and Somalia

 

Abdirahman Warsame

Police seeking four Kenyan terror suspects

(Left to right) Top: Hassan Omondi Owiti alias Budalangi alias Budapest alias Omosh, Shaban Namusenda Makotse. Bottom: Yassin Olunga alias Ndungu and Ali Masadiq wanted by police in relation to terror activities.

Police have circulated four pictures of four Kenyans who joined Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militant group and have been linked to a number of terror activities in Nairobi and Mombasa.

The four are said to have been to Somalia where they received military training before they returned to Kenya.Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said Sunday the suspects are on the lose and are planning terrorism at undisclosed places and urged the public to help in tracing them.“Evidence in possession of the police indicates that they have been involved in various acts of terrorism in Nairobi and Mombasa. The four are currently believed to be on the run inside Kenya and planning acts of terrorism in Mombasa and Nairobi,” said Kiraithe.The first suspect is identified as Hassan Omondi Owiti alias Budalangi alias Budapest alias Omosh.Kiraithe said police suspect he is in Nairobi or Mombasa.Police also want to question Shaban Namusenda Makotse who has reportedly adopted a strong Kiswahili accent to camouflage himself in crime and in particular terrorism.

Kiraithe said Yassin Olunga alias Ndungu has also been to Somalia for military training with a purpose of staging terrorism in Kenya.Another wanted Kenyan is Ali Masadiq who according to police is small bodied and can easily pass as a primary school pupil.“He is mainly used to carry out surveillance on potential terrorism targets and to convey firearms and grenades,” said Kiraithe.Police intelligence shows the four men have been named in some attacks that took place in Mombasa hence need to talk to them.

“Police would wish to warn the public that the above named persons maybe armed and dangerous. Any person with information on the whereabouts of the any or all of them should pass the information to police or other security officer promptly.”Kiraithe added police want another terror suspect Fuad Abubakar to report immediately to the nearest police station for questioning.Abubakar was charged in Mombasa law Courts earlier this year together with Briton Jermaine Grant for the criminal offences of being in possession of explosives, being member of an organized criminal and preparation to commit a felony. He is currently out on Sh2 million bond.  Abubakar is said to be in Mombasa but police are unable to trace him.

Reports show dozens of Kenyans who joined the militant group are returning back to the country after being ousted from their areas of operation by the Kenya Defence Forces and AMISOM troops.

The group of Kenyans alongside other foreigners are said to have come back with several explosives in readiness for use.Anti-terorrism police have so far arrested some of them but warn some are at large and planning for an attack.

Omar Hammami says ‘friction’ exists between Shabaab, foreign fighters - New Video . Also AQAP's top sharia official killed in recent drone strike - The Long War Journal

London (terrorfreesomalia) - A videotape of Omar Hammami in which he urges "commanders of jihad and the honorable scholars" to intervene to resolve "friction" between foreign fighters and Somali members of Shabaab was released on the Internet yesterday.

Hammami, the American terrorist also known as Abu Mansour al Amriki, who has served as a Shabaab military commander, propagandist, recruiter, and fundraiser, has previously stated that his life is in danger.
The videotape, titled "An Urgent Message," was released on the YouTube account of somalimuhajirwarrior, the same account used to upload other statements since March. Hammami's statement, which was translated by the SITE Intelligence Group, is in Arabic.
The videotape was recorded at the same time as the March 16, 2012 video in which Hammami claimed he was in danger but did not specify why [see LWJ report, American terrorist feels 'life may be endangered' by Shabaab]. In both videos, Hammami appears against the exact same backdrop (seated in front of an al Qaeda flag pinned to a white wall), is wearing the same clothes, and the AK-47 is positioned in the same spot.
In the videotape that was released yesterday, Hammami warns of a "bitter state of being that surrounds the emigrants of Somalia," a reference to foreign fighters or al Qaeda, and asks jihadists, clerics, and commanders to intervene with "a radical solution."
Hammami says that historically "a type of friction" exists "between the people of the global jihad and the people of the local way of thinking."
"I witnessed important parts of this history during my friction with the men of al Qaeda like Abu Talha al Sudani, Abu Abdullah al Sudani, Abu Mansour al Bayhani, Saleh al Nabhan, and Abu Fadl al Qamri," Hammami says, naming top al Qaeda leaders in East Africa who have been killed over the past several years. "The conflict that was taking place in Somalia between those men and between the emirs of [unclear] is still continuing, after some were captured and the majority martyred."
Hammami says that personal and religious differences have fueled the conflicts between the groups, and warns that the faction that seeks to wage "global jihad" may lose.
"We are afraid that this conflict might end soon in the favor of those who don't want the battalions of global jihad to take off from the Land of the Two Emigrations [Somalia] to bother the disbelievers and destroy their interests around the world. Worse than that, we are afraid that this end will come in an unfavorable way of oppression, imprisonment and domestic fighting," he says.
Although rumors of tensions between Somali Shabaab commanders and foreign al Qaeda leaders in Shabaab have been reported in the past, there is no evidence that the groups have come to blows due to the differences. Shabaab officially merged with al Qaeda in early February after years of operating closely together. Many top Shabaab leaders have been members of al Qaeda.
Hammami himself has been rumored to have been killed or imprisoned by Shabaab after releasing the March 16 video, but he released an autobiography on May 16, which was signed "Still alive and well (by May 16 2012), Omar Hammami, Somaalia." Eight days later, a picture of Hammami posing with his autobiography was released.
On the following day, May 25, Hammami released a four-part statement calling for jihadists to declare a global Islamic caliphate.
Background on Omar Hammami
Hammami has served as a military commander, propagandist, "recruitment strategist, and financial manager" for Shabaab, and is closely linked to al Qaeda, according to the US government. Hammami is on the US's list of specially designated global terrorists.
In May 2011, Hammami spoke at a public rally with other top Shabaab leaders to eulogize Osama bin Laden just 10 days after the death of the al Qaeda leader. During the rally, Hammani appeared with other top al Qaeda-linked Shabaab leaders, including Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Abu Mansour and Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys.
"We are all Osama," Hammami told the crowd as he spoke at a podium. He also said that Shabaab and al Qaeda would continue their jihad to establish a global Islamic caliphate.
"Today, we remind the Muslims that the caliphate [Islamic rule] shall soon be reborn," Hammani said while eulogizing bin Laden. "May Allah accept our dear beloved sheikh [Osama bin Laden] and cause our swords to become instruments of his avenging."
Hammami has played a crucial role in Shabaab's propaganda efforts to recruit Western fighters to join Shabaab's jihad in Somalia. In December 2011 and January 2012, Hammami appeared in photographs with a Western fighter. The Long War Journal identified the fighter as Cabdulaahi Ahmed Faarax, an American who recruited for the terror group and left the US in October 2009 to wage jihad in Somalia. Faarax is wanted by the FBI.
Hammami was reported to have been killed in a US airstrike in March 2011, but one month later he released a nasheed, or song, that mocked the reports. In the clumsy rap, Hammami said he wanted to die in a US airstrike or special operations raid, like top al Qaeda leaders Abu Laith al Libi, Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, and Abu Musab al Zarqawi.
For more information on Hammami, see LWJ reports, American Shabaab commander speaks at rally for Osama bin Laden in Somalia and US adds American, Kenyan Shabaab leaders to list of designated terrorists.



AQAP's top sharia official killed in recent drone strike - The Long War Journal

The US killed al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's senior sharia, or Islamic law, official in a drone strike in early October, according to a Yemeni journalist who is closely connected to the terror group. Sheikh Abu Zubeir 'Adil al'Abab, the sharia official, was described as AQAP's fourth-most important leader.

Al'Abab was the "fourth man in the hierarchy of Qaedat al-Jihad Organization in the Arabian Peninsula," according to a report by Abdul Razzaq al Jamal, which was translated by the SITE Intelligence Group. A close follower of AQAP, al Jamal has traveled and embedded with the terror group, and has interviewed many AQAP senior and midlevel officials. He has also written articles that sympathized with the terror group's attempts to control the region. AQAP has not released an official martyrdom statement announcing al'Abab's death.

Al'Abab was killed in the Oct. 4 drone strike that targeted vehicles as they traveled in the Maqbala area in Shabwa province. Four AQAP fighters were reportedly killed in the strike.

According to al Jamal, al'Abab was the most important AQAP leader after Nasir al Wuhayshi, the group's emir; Said al Shihri, the deputy emir; and Qassim al Rimi, AQAP's military commander. Al'Abab is also the fourth-most important AQAP leader killed in a US drone strike after Abu Ali al Harithi, Anwar al-Awlaki, and Fahd al Quso, according to al Jamal.

As AQAP's sharia official, al'Abab provided religious justification for AQAP's operations, including suicide attacks. Additionally, al'Abab helped with AQAP's propaganda efforts. Al'Abab "contributed articles to AQAP's Arabic magazine, 'Echo of the Epics' (Sada al- Malahem), and answered questions about targeting non-Muslim civilians and Yemeni soldiers in the fourth issue of AQAP's English magazine, 'Inspire,'" according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

Five senior AQAP leaders and operatives killed in drone strikes this year

Including al'Abab, five senior AQAP operatives have been killed in the 34 strikes in Yemen so far in 2012. The US has stepped up attacks in Yemen this year in support of Yemeni military operations to dislodge the terror group from sanctuaries in the south.

The most recent strike that killed a senior AQAP leader took place on Aug. 31. Khaled Batis, a wanted AQAP operative who is said to have been the mastermind of the 2002 bombing of the French oil tanker Limburg, was killed in that attack.

On May 6, the US killed Fahd al Quso in a drone attack in Shabwa province. Quso, who has been described as AQAP's external operations chief, was involved in numerous terrorist attacks, including the 2000 suicide attack on the USS Cole that killed 17 US sailors. The US obtained the information leading to Quso from a Saudi operative who had penetrated AQAP.

The US killed Mohammed Saeed al Umda (a.k.a. Ghareeb al Taizi) in an April 22 drone strike on a convoy in the Al Samadah area of Marib province. Prior to the downfall of the Taliban regime in 2001, he had attended the Al Farouq military training camp in Afghanistan. Umda served as a member of Osama bin Laden's bodyguard in Afghanistan before returning to Yemen, and was involved in the October 2002 suicide attack on the French oil tanker Limburg. He escaped from a Yemeni jail in 2006.

And on Jan. 31, US drones killed Abdul Mun'im Salim al Fatahani near the city of Lawdar in Abyan province. Fatahani was also involved in the suicide attack on the USS Cole, as well as the bombing that damaged the Limburg oil tanker in 2002. AQAP said that Fatahani had fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.

US intelligence officials believe that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula poses a direct threat to the homeland. The latest AQAP plot against the West, involving an underwear bomb that is nearly undetectable and was to be detonated on an airliner, was foiled earlier this year. The terror group has planned multiple attacks against targets in the US. A strike in Yemen last year killed both Anwar al Awlaki, the radical, US-born cleric who plotted attacks against the US, and Samir Khan, another American who served as a senior AQAP propagandist.

Al Qaeda's affiliate Al-Shabaab "Al-Amriki" American Jihadi Omar Hammami Video ( infighting between )
 

Commemorating the 43th anniversary of Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre . Our late great leader

It  is a day that every Somali to be proud of, cherish and commemorate Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre

 

Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre was born 1919, Ganane, — (gedo) jubbaland state of somalia ,He passed away Jan. 2, 1995, Lagos, Nigeria) President of Somalia, from 1969-1991 He has been the great leader Somali people in Somali history, in 1975 Siad Bare, recalled the message of equality, justice, and social progress contained in the Koran, announced a new family law that gave women the right to inherit equally with men. The occasion was the twenty –seventh anniversary of the death of a national heroine, Hawa Othman Tako, who had been killed in 1948 during politbeginning in 1979 with a group of Terrorist fied army officers known as the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF).Mr Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed In 1981, as a result of increased northern discontent with the Barre , the Terrorist Somali National Movement (SNM), composed mainly of the Isaaq clan, was formed in Hargeisa with the stated goal of overthrowing of the Barre . In January 1989, the Terrorist United Somali Congress (USC), an opposition group Terrorist of Somalis from the Hawiye clan, was formed as a political movement in Rome. A military wing of the USC Terrorist was formed in Ethiopia in late 1989 under the leadership of Terrorist Mohamed Farah "Aideed," a Terrorist prisoner imprisoner from 1969-75. Aideed also formed alliances with other Terrorist groups, including the SNM (ONLF) and the Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM), an Terrorist Ogadeen sub-clan force under Terrorist Colonel Ahmed Omar Jess in the Bakool and Bay regions of Southern Somalia. , 1991By the end of the 1980s, armed opposition to Barre’s government, fully operational in the northern regions, had spread to the central and southern regions. Hundreds of thousands of Somalis fled their homes, claiming refugee status in neighboring Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya. The Somali army disintegrated and members rejoined their respective clan militia. Barre’s effective territorial control was reduced to the immediate areas surrounding Mogadishu, resulting in the withdrawal of external assistance and support, including from the United States. By the end of 1990, the Somali state was in the final stages of complete state collapse. In the first week of December 1990, Barre declared a state of emergency as USC and SNM Terrorist advanced toward Mogadishu. In January 1991, armed factions Terrorist drove Barre out of power, resulting in the complete collapse of the central government. Barre later died in exile in Nigeria. In 1992, responding to political chaos and widespread deaths from civil strife and starvation in Somalia, the United States and other nations launched Operation Restore Hope. Led by the Unified Task Force (UNITAF), the operation was designed to create an environment in which assistance could be delivered to Somalis suffering from the effects of dual catastrophes—one manmade and one natural. UNITAF was followed by the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM). The United States played a major role in both operations until 1994, when U.S. forces withdrew. Warlordism, terrorism. PIRATES ,(TRIBILISM) Replaces the Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre administration .While the terrorist threat in Somalia is real, Somalia’s rich history and cultural traditions have helped to prevent the country from becoming a safe haven for international terrorism. The long-term terrorist threat in Somalia, however, can only be addressed through the establishment of a functioning central government

Security forces in Somalia's Puntland region seizes arms boat destined for Somali militants

(Reuters) - Security forces in Somalia's  region of Puntland has captured a boat coming from Yemen that was carrying heavy weapons destined for the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab rebels, officials said on Friday.

The incident raised concern about possible cooperation between the Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and al Shabaab, which formally merged with al Qaeda this year and has come under pressure from African Union forces.

"The boat was from Yemen. It was laden with RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades), anti-tank mines and other weapons," Abdisamad Mohamed, the mayor of Bosasso, told reporters. The boat's occupants had fled by the time security tracked down the vessel after a tip-off by locals, he added.

Al Shabaab, which counts foreign al Qaeda-trained fighters among its ranks, is seen as one of the biggest threats to stability in the Horn of Africa. It has received advice from al Qaeda's leadership, counter-terrorism experts say.

Three weeks ago al Shabaab withdrew from Kismayu, once their nerve centre for operations and recruitment in a five-year conflict with African Union and Somali government troops in a country wracked by anarchy and insurgency for two decades.

While the retreat was a major setback for al Shabaab, weakening morale and depriving it of revenue from local taxes, the rebels have signaled their intention to fight back.

They claimed a bomb blast in Kismayu just days after leaving the city, showing they have the ability to hit back with covert and guerrilla-style attacks.

Puntland's marine forces commander linked the weapons to al Shabaab. "We are investigating but we believe the weapons were heading to al Shabaab. They are mostly explosives," Colonel Abdirizak Diriye told reporters.

Yemen's interior ministry said earlier this year that al Shabaab had sent 300 armed men to join ranks with Islamist fighters in Yemen.

Puntland, spanning the relatively calm north of Somalia, has largely escaped the worst of the country's upheaval and has been showcased by foreign powers advocating a loose federal political system in Somalia as a solution to its troubles.

The area is also rich in energy sources and being sized up by oil explorers. However, Puntland's authorities have said there is increasing insecurity and blamed it on al Shabaab.

more pics

Somalia's fishermen make a comeback (VIDEO)

Somalia's fishermen have long struggled to make a living, in the face of piracy and illegal fishing by foreign trawlers. Increased demand for fresh fish is making the industry lucrative once more, but fishermen say they need more protection from the government. Al Jazeera's Nazanine Moshiri reports from Mogadishu.

Minn. man convicted of aiding Somalia terror group(Terror pipeline Minneapolis and Somalia )

U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones talks with reporters after a federal jury in Minneapolis on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012 convicted Mahamud Said Omar on all five terrorism-related charges of helping send young men through a terrorist pipeline from Minnesota to Somalia. Also shown, from left background, prosecutor Charles Kovats, FBI agent Kian VanDenover, prosecutors LeeAnn Bell and John Docherty.

update on  Feds: Suspect sent 'cannon fodder' to Somalia

                                                              Mahamud Said Omar

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minneapolis man accused of helping send young men through a terrorist pipeline from Minnesota to Somalia was convicted Thursday on all five terrorism-related charges he faced, including one that could land him in prison for life.

The jury returned its verdict against Mahamud Said Omar after deliberating for about eight hours over two days. Chief U.S. District Judge Michael Davis has not set a sentencing date.Omar, 46, nodded quietly as an interpreter gave him the news. As he was being led from the courtroom, he held his hands up over his head and smiled at his brothers and other supporters.

His brothers declined comment after the verdict. But one of his defense attorneys, Jon Hopeman, said Omar will appeal. Hopeman said he has a list of issues he might raise on appeal, including his claim that prosecutors did not disclose all of Omar's phone calls that were secretly recorded by the FBI.

B. Todd Jones, the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, was pleased with the verdict.

"There are some lines that you just cannot cross," Jones said. "One of those lines is, you cannot provide material support to a designated terrorist organization such as al-Shabab. That message should be crystal clear. If you choose to do that, there are some serious ramifications of that decision."

Omar, a mosque janitor, was the first man to stand trial in the government's investigation into what it says was the recruitment of more than 20 men who have left Minnesota since 2007 to join al-Shabab, a U.S.-designated terrorist group linked to al-Qaida. Al-Shabab has been fight the fledgling U.N.-backed government in Somalia, which was backed by troops from neighboring Ethiopia, who were seen by some Somalis as an invading force.

Prosecutors said the investigation is ongoing. They would not elaborate.

Prosecutors said during the trial that Omar helped some recruits from Minnesota's Somali community, which is the largest in the U.S., buy plane tickets to Somalia and gave others $1,000 to buy weapons while they were staying in an al-Shabab safe house. Prosecutors said he also went to that safe house himself and stayed there about a week.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Docherty, one of the prosecutors who tried the case, said funneling young men to the Horn of Africa, where some lost their lives and some took the lives of others, cannot be tolerated.

"We'll be very pleased if today's verdict plays any part in bringing that kind of behavior to a stop, because it is the kind of thing that just cannot go on in this community," Docherty said Thursday.

During closing arguments Wednesday, Docherty told jurors that Omar moved the young men as "cannon fodder" through a pipeline to al-Shabab.

The FBI agent overseeing Omar's case, Kiann VanDenover, testified that at one point in questioning, Omar claimed to be a "team leader" for the terror group.

Omar has denied the allegations. One of his attorneys, Andrew Birrell, portrayed him in closing arguments as a "frightened, little man" who has struggled to adapt to life in the U.S. and who lacks the skills and know-how to organize anything. Birrell said the government's case was based on the corrupt testimony of al-Shabab recruits who repeatedly lied and who testified only because their plea deals required it.

Trial testimony provided insights into the long-running investigation, including how the young men were recruited and what happened when they got to Somalia and joined al-Shabab, which is blamed for much of the violence in the East African country.

Omar was among 18 men charged in the Minnesota case. Seven have pleaded guilty, while others are presumed to be out of the country. At least six of the men who traveled to Somalia from Minnesota have died, with more presumed dead, according to family members and the FBI.

"This case right here is not closure on the phenomenon of al-Shabab and it's not closure on our vigilance with making sure that those who cross that line are scrutinized appropriately," Jones said.He said the verdict provides some justice to those affected by the tragedy of men being recruited from their families. He said the government is taking "very seriously" reports that more men recently have departed for Somalia."What I would ask at this juncture is that everybody continue to work together to stop this from happening," he said.Omar Jamal, a community advocate who has acted as a spokesman for the family, said the evidence revealed in court showed how some people in Minneapolis had deep ties to the terror group in Somalia.

"It was very clear there are people behind this operation who have been misleading and feeding these youth religious extremism and nationalism," Jamal said. "They did it in a very meticulous, smart way. And hopefully this will not be the end of this investigation."

Terrorist Mahamud Said Omar

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) -
Jurors have delivered a guilty verdict in the trial of a Minnesota man accused of helping send men to Somalia to join the al-Qaida-linked group al-Shabab.
Mahamud Said Omar was convicted on all five terrorism-related counts in the FBI's investigation into what it called a "terror pipeline" dating back to 2007.
Omar has been accused of providing material support during the recruitment of more than 20 Minneapolis-area Somali men who returned to their native land to join al-Shabab.