Somali militants capture key town

Published by You on 18 May, 2009 - 00:29

Hardline Islamist militants have captured a strategically important town north of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, eyewitnesses say.

Members of al-Shabab, a group fighting government forces in Somalia, seized the town of Jowhar on Sunday morning.

One resident told Reuters that there had been "serious fighting" in which at least seven people had been killed.

Jowhar was in 2005 chosen as the temporary location for the country's transitional government.

The Somali government has been losing ground in recent weeks and now controls little more than the centre of the capital, with the support of African Union troops.

On 15 May, Somalia's president appealed to Islamist insurgents to negotiate as intermittent fighting continued in Mogadishu...

Read more @

Submitted by You on 18 May, 2009 - 00:32

The situation is very serious. Off to our correspondent, Weebl, who has more information:

">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=833j2r-WJ98]

()

—

"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by You on 19 May, 2009 - 18:34

Ethiopia troops 'back in Somalia'

Ethiopian military forces have crossed back into Somalia, four months after leaving, witnesses told the BBC.

Their reported return comes as Islamist militants continue to seize towns from the fragile Western-backed government.

One resident said he saw Ethiopian troops digging trenches in Kalabeyr, a town 22km (14 miles) from the Somali-Ethiopian border.

An Ethiopian spokesman denied the reports. Its troops left Somalia in January after two years in the country.

They entered Somalia in 2006 to help oust Islamist forces from the capital Mogadishu but withdrew under a UN-backed peace deal...

Read more @

I wonder if the Shabaab are really worse than the UIC, or if that is just a play on fears...

—

"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by Ya'qub on 20 May, 2009 - 16:57

You wrote:

Ethiopia troops 'back in Somalia'

Ethiopian military forces have crossed back into Somalia, four months after leaving, witnesses told the BBC.

Their reported return comes as Islamist militants continue to seize towns from the fragile Western-backed government.

One resident said he saw Ethiopian troops digging trenches in Kalabeyr, a town 22km (14 miles) from the Somali-Ethiopian border.

An Ethiopian spokesman denied the reports. Its troops left Somalia in January after two years in the country.

They entered Somalia in 2006 to help oust Islamist forces from the capital Mogadishu but withdrew under a UN-backed peace deal...

Read more @

I wonder if the Shabaab are really worse than the UIC, or if that is just a play on fears...

LOL shabaab means 'youth'. This is a youth magazine forum! You should be supporting them.

—

Don't just do something! Stand there.

Submitted by You on 20 May, 2009 - 17:01

I may be shallow, but not that shallow!

(and I knew what shabab meant, just in this situation, they are supposed to be fr more extreme than the UIC that was around a few years ago. Takfiri by nature for one, unwilling to negotiate for another.)

—

"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by Ya'qub on 20 May, 2009 - 17:18

When has being takfiri ever meant that someone IS willing to negotiate?

—

Don't just do something! Stand there.

Submitted by You on 20 May, 2009 - 17:21

If the not teaching for a weak or so has got you this cranky already, I wonder how bad it will be before summer's out?

—

"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by Ya'qub on 20 May, 2009 - 17:27

You wrote:
If the not teaching for a weak or so has got you this cranky already, I wonder how bad it will be before summer's out?

Is that being cranky? Ooops.

—

Don't just do something! Stand there.

Submitted by You on 20 May, 2009 - 17:29

well, not cranky, but pre-cranky. or potentially leading to crankiness.

(and you never picked up on week Vs weak there!)

—

"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by You on 23 May, 2009 - 00:44

Fierce battle in Somali capital

Pro-government forces in Somalia have launched a major attack against Islamist militants controlling parts of the capital, Mogadishu.

The assault is an attempt to recapture areas seized by the rebels.

Medical sources told the BBC that at least 30 people had been killed in the latest clashes.

Supporters of the transitional government - which is recognised by the UN - lost control of about one-third of the city to the militants last week.

Bitter fighting

Ten days of fierce clashes between the pro-government forces and militant Islamic groups - al-Shabab and Hisbul-Islam - have left more than 100 people dead and displaced about 50,000 civilians.

...

A moderate Islamist President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was elected by a unity government in January as part of a UN-backed peace initiative.

But even his introduction of Sharia law to the strongly Muslim country has not appeased the hardline guerrillas, who are accused of links to al-Qaeda.

Somalia has been mired in conflict for 18 years...

Read more and watch video @

—

"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Post reply