Gulf of Aden Security Review - December 31, 2015 | Critical Threats

Gulf of Aden Security Review - December 31, 2015 | Critical Threats

Gulf of Aden Security Review - December 31, 2015 | Critical Threats

Gulf of Aden Security Review - December 31, 2015 | Critical Threats

CO15282 | ISIS in Horn of Africa: An Imminent Alliance with Al-Shabaab? | RSIS

CO15282 | ISIS in Horn of Africa: An Imminent Alliance with Al-Shabaab? | RSIS

Somalia:Muslim Brotherhood Gov Assassination Attempt on Journalists' Leader

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is alarmed about today's attempt to assassinate its Secretary General, Omar Faruk Osman, as he was entering the union's headquarters in Mogadishu.

At around 14hrs, Omar Faruk Osman was coming back from city centre and his vehicle was standing at the gate of NUSOJ headquarters, waiting the gate to be opened, when a white sedan with three armed men sprayed Omar’s vehicle with bullets. Omar’s Bodyguards exchanged fire with assailants, until attackers were overpowered and run away from the scene. One of Omar’s bodyguards and two other pedestrians at Taleex Street were seriously wounded in this attack. "This is a vicious and cowardly murder attempt against our Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman. It is clearly aimed at intimidating our union, and it was only by good fortune that Omar Faruk escaped death,” said Abdirisak Omar Ismail, President of NUSOJ Supreme Council. NUSOJ categorically states that it will not bow to the intimidations and dangers posed to its leadership, and shall remain defiant in executing its mandate without fear, speaking out against suppressive actions and policies against journalists and media community. "It is an outrage that people must risk their lives simply to represent the interests of journalists. If the Somali Government is serious about bringing peace and prosperity to Somalia it must swiftly identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” added Ismail. "We do not need empty promises anymore”.

Somalia — From Great Hope to Failed State

Somalia — From Great Hope to Failed State

One Saturday in blood: clashes in Yemen, Ethiopia, Somalia and Iraq

 75 deaths on the border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Many in clashes in recent weeks in Ethiopia. Shabaab attack in Mogadishu, 10 Iraqi soldiers killed by friendly fire

 

 

 

Yaman Government forces (Abdullah Al-QADRY / AFP / Getty Images)

 

 

Yemeni - border with Saudi Arabia - Yemeni military sources and witnesses said they were in during heavy fighting in the northern province of Hajjah, near the border with Saudi Arabia. More than 75 soldiers have been killed in the last three days.Saturday clashes between the rebels and government forces have killed more than 40 rebels and 35 government soldiers, with 50 wounded on the side of the rebels and dozens from the army.Government forces, according to witnesses, are advanced across the border from Saudi territory, after months of training. The clashes occurred after the suspension of the peace meetings that are taking place in Switzerland, which occurred because of violations of the ceasefire.Ethiopia - Addis Ababa - At least 75 people died in Ethiopia in the ongoing protests since mid-November against a number of construction projects in the region around the captale, Addis Ababa. Denounces the human rights organization Human Rights Watch. The government has so far confirmed five deaths among the protesters, described as "terrorists," but added that there are other victims among the police. The protests began in Ginchi, a town 80 kilometers south of the capital, against a plan to deforestation. Then they have spread across the region to counter a series of building projects. Most of the demonstrators are ethnic Oromo peasants who fear being expelled from their fields to make way for new buildings, as has already happened in the past.Somalia - Mogadishu - is at least five dead and 19 injured in the explosion of a car bomb in a crowded street in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. This was reported by local media, quoting witnesses and security sources.The attack, which occurred in the busy Via Makka al-Mukarama, was preceded by an attack by a group of armed men. Among the wounded there are five police officers and five civilians.The jihadist al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack. This was reported by Radio Shabelle, adding that the governor of the central region of Galgadud, Hussein Wehliye Irfo was injured after being hit by bullets fired by Shabaab.Iraq - Baghdad - is at least ten Iraqi soldiers dead or wounded, the death toll of an incursion of the international coalition led by the US took place west of Baghdad.

Police release list of most wanted terror suspects in Kenya

Police release list of most wanted terror suspects in Kenya

Five police officers injured in Mandera border explosion

Al-Shabaab, IS leaders killed in United States airstrikes: Pentagon

Al-Shabaab, IS leaders killed in United States airstrikes: Pentagon

Al-Shabaab, IS leaders killed in United States airstrikes: Pentagon

Al-Shabaab, IS leaders killed in United States airstrikes: Pentagon

State Department designates German national as an al Qaeda terrorist | The Long War Journal

State Department designates German national as an al Qaeda terrorist | The Long War Journal

State Department designates German national as an al Qaeda terrorist | The Long War Journal

State Department designates German national as an al Qaeda terrorist | The Long War Journal

San Bernardino Jihadis Cleared Online Trail Before Attack

San Bernardino Jihadis Cleared Online Trail Before Attack

When values clash with culture - The Gonzaga Bulletin: Arts & Entertainment

Yasmeen Ahmed: Marriage can wait. My education comes before anything. I will always be thankful for education

When values clash with culture - The Gonzaga Bulletin: Arts & Entertainment

Turkish media: Audio of #Turkey's pilot warning Russian jet, pilot spoke in English

un appointed British diplomat Chatham associate Michael Keating to Somalia

Ugandan born British citizen Michael Keating and Chatham House Associate Director is set to replace the outgoing UN Special Envoy to Somalia Nicholas Kay whose tenure comes to a close next month, terrorfree somalia  can authoritatively reveal.

Keating who has variously served in public and private sectors in senior political, development and humanitarian positions has spent his childhood in Uganda, Kenya, Somalia and Iran.

Between 2011 and 2012, Keating served as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General in Afghanistan where he worked with government, civil society and international community including the NATO assistance force, ISAF on elections, reconciliation, rule of law among others.

Nicholas Kay took office in June 2014 succeeding former envoy Augustine Mahiga. Kay was previously the UK ambassador to Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo besides being the Coordinator for Southern Afghanistan and Head of the Provincial Reconstruction Team for Helmand Province from 2006 to 2007.

Keating comes to office at a crucial time when Somalia is navigating a delicate political process which will culminate into an election in August 2016 when the term of the current administration lapses.

He will also be tasked with working closely with the African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM in bolstering security in the country ahead of the elections. During Kay’s tenure, Somalia has achieved remarkable progress including the state formation process, development of state structures and preparations for elections.

Keating was born in Kampala, Uganda in 1959.

al-Qaeda: The Kinder Gentler Islamic Terrorists?

al-Qaeda: The Kinder Gentler Islamic Terrorists?

Gulf of Aden Security Review - October 7, 2015 | Critical Threats

Gulf of Aden Security Review - October 7, 2015 | Critical Threats

Who is Francisco Madeira? Special Representative of The African Union for Somalia and Head of the AU Mission in Somalia

With the Today African Union, or A.U., announcement of the selection of a special envoy, Special Representative of The African Union for Somalia and Head of the AU Mission in Somalia many keen observers of  Somalia have been wondering: Who is Francisco Caetano José Madeira, and what will he contribute to the efforts to end the destabilizing activities and atrocities committed by the Lord’s Alshabaab and , MuslimBrotherhood Dum-jadiid and Warlord Madoobe

 ? A lifelong Mozambican diplomat with familiarity in the Great Lakes region as well as years of service to both the United Nations and the A.U., Madeira brings over three decades of diplomatic experience to the post of Somalia special envoy.

The A.U. communiqué indicates that Madeira will work with the governments of Somalia-affected countries to “provide overall political and strategic coordination of the operation against the Alshabaab…assist in mobilizing assistance for the victims of the Alshabaab atrocities, the rebuilding of shattered communities and the rehabilitation of the affected areas.” Additionally, he will coordinate with the A.U.’s bilateral and multilateral partners contributing to the effort to end the Alshabaab.

Born in Beira, Mozambique in 1954, Madeira holds degrees in international relations and law. He joined the Mozambican diplomatic service in 1975 and served as ambassador to several African countries between 1984 and 1989. Domestically, Madeira served the president’s office as minister for parliamentary affairs from 1995 to 1999 and as minister for diplomatic affairs from 2000 to 2010. He became a member of the National Parliament of Mozambique in 2005.  

Madeira has experience on several negotiation and facilitation teams across the African continent. He was a member of the government delegation sent to Rome to negotiate the peace accords with RENAMO in the early 1990s, which ended the 15 year-long Mozambican civil war. Following his participation in the successful signing of the Rome General Peace Accords, Madeira assisted both former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere and former South African President Nelson Mandela as a member of the facilitation teams for the Arusha Peace Negotiations on Burundi. He continued his mediation work as the OAU/A.U. special envoy for the Comoros from 1999 to 2010 and then as the A.U. special envoy to São Tomé and Príncipe, following that country’s 2003 coup d’etat.       

Madeira has no  significant experience with alshabaab and Somalia -specific issues. Madeira served as a special representative of the Mozambican government to the Great Lakes region. He also worked closely with the current Vice President of South Sudan, Riek Machar, during the ultimately unsuccessful 2006 to 2008 negotiations with the LRA. Additionally, Madeira assisted former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano during his time as the U.N. special envoy for LRA-affected areas.

Perhaps the most intriguing point on Madeira’s resume is his role as the A.U.’s special representative in charge of counter-terrorism cooperation and the head of the Algiers-based  African Centre for Studies and Research on Terrorism. He will hold these two positions concurrently with his responsibilities as the LRA special envoy. This expansion of Madeira’s counter-terrorism portfolio coincides with the A.U.’s designation of the LRA as a terrorist group. The United States, a key ally in the anti-LRA fight has declared the leader Joseph Kony a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. It is clear that the A.U. hopes to leverage Madeira’s counter-terrorism credentials in the fight against the LRA stating he “will bring his counter-terrorism expertise to bear on the efforts aimed at putting an end to the criminal activities of the Alshabaab ."Somalia

 

Blackhawk Down 22 years on today

US Blackhawk Down military disaster remembered

Operation Restore Hope, Battle of Mogadishu,1993

Mogadishu, Somalia
		Oct. 3, 1993
		Oct. 4, 1993 It has been 22 years since US soldiers and hundreds of Somalis died when a Blackhawk helicopter was shot down in Somalia. The incident happened during an attack by militants who disrupted a humanitarian aid mission. The disaster, made famous in the film Blackhawk Down, is seen as one of the worst in American military history.

honor the fallen

U.S. military personnel killed in the fighting were Chief Warrant Offic er Donovan L. Briley, Staff Sgt. Daniel D. Bus ch, Cpl. James M. Cavaco, Staff Sgt. William D. Cleveland, Sgt. Thomas J. Field, Sgt. 1st Class Earl Fillmore, Chief War rant Officer Raymond Frank, Master Sgt. Gary I. Gordon, Sgt. James Z. "Casey" Joyce, Pvt. Richard W. "Alphabet" Kowaleski, Pvt. James Martin, Master Sgt. Timothy "Griz" Martin, Sgt. Dominick M. Pilla, Sgt. Lorenzo M. Ruiz, Sgt. 1st Class Randall D. Shughart, Cpl. James E. "Jamie" Smit h, and Chief Warrant Officer Clifton "Elvis" Wolcott. Sgt. Cornell Houston was mortally wounded and died Oct. 6 after being evacuated to Germany.Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Rierson, who took part in the battle, was killed two days later by a mortar.

Somalia . a mission to capture lieutenants of habar -gidir Hawiye Terrorist warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, a team of U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force came under heavy assault from local militia. Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters went down in the fighting, and U.S. foces inflicted heavy casualties on Hawiye (habar-gidir)usc Jihadist Muslim Brotherhood fighters while suffering significant losses of their own.Al-Qaeda appear to have taken any direct role in the fighting, but several senior al-Qaeda fighters traveled to Somalia from Sudan to train militiamen there in techniques they employed against the Soviets during the Afghan war.In particular, they trained the militiamen in the use of unguided rocket-propelled grenades, or RPGs, as an anti-helicopter weapon.The tactic came as a surprise to American forces in Somalia, and RPGs were credited with downing the two Black Hawks.The U.S. government did not learn of al-Qaeda's role in the attack until 1996, presumably from Jamal Ahmed al-Fadl.
Attacker Deaths 500 Habar-gidir Hawiye ' Al-Qaeda mercenaries'

The Unfinished Business Clinton's cut and run in Somalia, law enforcement approach to the 1993