Tag Archives: Somalia

Somali and African Union forces claimed to have taken control of neighborhoods in Mogadishu from Shabaab during fighting that resulted in four people killed. Several Shabaab suspects were detained in connection with the bombing in Mandera in Kenya that killed four soldiers.

Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a claimed they killed five of Shabaab’s top leaders in the Galgudud region, including Shabaab’s governor. Shabaab arrested 30 women in Afgoye for failing to cover their faces.

A report claimed that the wife of Omar Hammami (Abu Mansour al Amriki) was detained by the CIA in Hargeisa; the report is unconfirmed. Shabaab accused UN aid agencies of displacing Somalis in areas under their control.

Shabaab beheaded two shepherds and displayed their corpses in Afgoye. The government of Puntland and Shabaab forces under Sheikh Atom agreed to a cease-fire.

Shabaab freed Asho Osman Aqiil, the female Minister for Women and Family Affairs, after arresting her in Bala earlier this week. Shabaab accused the United Nations of exaggerating the drought and famine situation in Somalia.

Shabaab’s spokesman said that foreign aid agencies were not permitted to distribute famine relief in areas under its control. Norway said that the famine in Somalia is a good reason to negotiate with Shabaab.

Shabaab reportedly captured the female minister of women and family affairs in Balad and arrested 20 people for dancing in Jowhar. The UN has declared a famine in two regions of Somalia.

Sheikh Mohammed Said Atom, Shabaab’s leader in Puntland, rejected calls to reconcile with the government. Two soldiers were killed as troops fought amongst themselves at the presidential palace.

The United Nations has begun to deliver drought aid to camps in Somalia that are run by Shabaab. “”They gave assurances that our access for humanitarian purposes would be unhindered,” a UNICEF official said.

Shabaab has recruited at least 21 young men in the US to fight the government and African Union forces in Somalia. Shabaab rejected volunteers that are too young as it fears this would expose its operations.

Shabaab arrested two Somalis who work for UNICEF and ICRC in Baidoa, and detained eight people in Eldher. The UNB declared Somalia the world’s worst humanitarian disaster.