Tag Archives: Somalia

Rumors abound over a possible coup against the transitional government. Clashes between Col. Hirale’s militia and the Islamic Courts are expected in Bu’ale. Talks between the ICU and former Somali military officers over fighting Ethiopia are ongoing. Islamic Courts supporter in Somaliland burned copies of a newpaper critical of the group.

The Islamic Courts have opened 4 “centers for jihad registration” in the Hiran region. The ICU shut down the “Mogadishu-based Bariga Afrika radio station… because the station ‘divides the community.’” Two carloads of the popular stimulant khat were burned near Kismayo.

The U.S. and Ethiopia are planning to interdict terrorists seeking a safe haven in Somalia. The Islamic Courts claim they haven’t threatened Ethiopia. The ICU is also “infuriated” by the UN withdrawal of foreign staff from southern and central Somalia.

Local clerics in semi autonomous Somaliland demand Sharia law. Reporters sans Frontières states the Islamic Courts have imposed a “draconian charter” on the press in Mogadishu. Kenya has reinforced the border. The prime minister of Ethiopia has vowed to defend the country from the ICU.

Anti-Islamic demonstrations continue for the second day in Kismayo, as Colonel Bare Hirale vows to retake the port city. Clashes are imminent in the city the Islamist Court militia took without casualties two weeks ago. The Islamic Court’s laws and arrests, reminiscent of the Taliban’s legal system, are raising international concern.

The Islamic Courts army is now on the Kenyan border. The ICU commander of Hiran province has threatened Ethiopia with war if their troops enter the country. The ICU has officially established shariah courts in Mogadishu and appointed leaders.

The Islamic Courts takes control of the town of Afmadow in the Lower Jubba region. Members of the Lower Juba Alliance threaten to retake the port city of Kismayo. Kenya is reconsidering its support of the transitional government. An alleged video of an ICU clreic being tortured in Somaliland leads to protests and threats from […]

The Islamic Courts withdraws from a town bordering Ethiopia as Ethiopian Army units move in. Ethiopian troops are deployed on the outskirts of Baidoa. The transitional government is receiving arms from Ethiopia. The provincial capital of the middle Juba region has been captured by the ICU.

President Yusuf tells the defense minister to abandon all hope of recovering Kismayo and orders his militias to push to Baidoa. “A convoy of more than 156 [Ethiopian] war vehicles” is said to have arrived in Baidoa. Yusuf’s government still believes it can negotiate with the Islamic Courts Union. An interview with wanted terrorist and […]

The Islamic Courts continues its conquest of Somalia. The Lower Shabelle region and the towns of Kalaber and Jawil are now under the control of the ICU. Kenyan troops have been placed on high alert all along the Somali border.