Tag Archives: Somalia

Shabaab commander Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys proudly admitted to recruiting children to serve with the terror group. “We recruit underage children to fight for us, the children are ready to die for their country and religion,” he said. Shabaab sentenced a couple to 100 lashes for committing adultery.

Eighteen people were killed during fighting between Shabaab fighters and Somali and African Union forces in Mogadishu. Infighting between Somali troops in Mogadishu resulted in the death of one soldier. Puntland suspended Saracen International’s anti-piracy training program.

Ten people were killed after Shabaab launched an attack on the town of Bula Hawo on the Kenyan border. Shabaab took control of the village of Dif and arrested 10 merchants in Sadow and accused them of selling drugs. The African Union jailed three Ugandan soldiers for killing civilians.

Twenty more people were killed during shelling by both Shabaab and African Union forces in Mogadishu. The US said it was “disappointed” with the Transitional Federal Government for extending its mandate.

Twenty people were killed in Mogadishu during mortar exchanges between Shabaab and African Union and government forces. Shabaab claimed the government’s offensive in central Somalia has failed, and said 20 Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a fighters were killed.

Shabaab claimed it defeated government forces in Beletweyne and took control of a military base. Shabaab denied it lost control of several of its bases in Mogadishu.

Ten people were killed during fighting in Mogadishu. Two people were killed after police forces battled amongst themselves in Mogadishu. Five Shabaab fighters died in a premature detonation in Lanto Buro. Shabaab’s leadership in Kismayo called on young men to fight the government in Mogadishu.

Somalia’s prime minister warned that Shabaab may attempt to use oil tankers in a Sept. 11-styled attack. The United Nations Security Council urged the international community to increase funding for African Union forces in Somalia.

Pirates killed five Puntland troops during a failed attempt to free a captive Danish family. Twelve people were killed in fighting in Galgudud. Thirty Shabaab fighters in Mogadishu defected.

Somali troops took control of Rabdhure and El Waq; four Shabaab fighters were reported to have been killed during the fighting, Puntland police arrested four suspected Shabaab operatives, including the brother of Sheikh Mohamed Atom, in Galkayo.

The defense minister claimed Omar Hammami, an American Shabaab leader, was killed. President Ahmed fired four senior security officials; Shabaab cited the dismissals as evidence the government is failing in its offensive. Ethiopian troops have joined a pro-government militia in the village of Berhuteye.

Shabaab withdrew its forces from the Gedo region after Ethiopian soldiers helped eject Shabaab from Bala Hawo. Shabaab killed two Somali soldiers and executed two men who worked for the government in Mogadishu.

Alhu Sunnah Wal Jama’a took control of Bula Hawa from Shabaab and captured 48 prisoners; 25 people were reported killed during the fighting. Twenty-one people were killed during heavy fighting between Shabaab and Somali and African Union forces in Mogadishu.

Al Qaeda and Shabaab have established a Taliban-like regime in Mogadishu’s suburb of Qobdoro. Shabaab is deploying more fighters from the Bay and Bakool areas to Mogadishu. Hassan Dahir Aweys vowed to continue to wage jihad against Somali and African Union forces.

Fifty-three African Union peacekeepers have been killed during heavy fighting with Shabaab in Mogadishu over the past two weeks. Most (43) are from Burundi, which has suppressed the casualties. The other 10 are from Uganda.

Somali soldiers have used the Kenyan town of Mandera as a base to attack Shabaab in the south. Madagascar security forces captured a Somali pirate mothership. The government closed Radio-Kulmiye for interviewing disgruntled former Shabaab fighters.

Shabaab beat 47 people in Masagawa for violating its strict code of sharia. Shabaab’s leader threatened Burundi troops and called for them to withdraw from Mogadishu. Kenya closed its border with Somalia.

Thirty-six people were killed during fighting between Somali forces and Shabaab fighters in Bula Hawo. Top Shabaab leaders Muktar Robow and Sheikh Fu’ad Shongole are attempting to recruit former Somali army officers to join Shabaab’s ranks.

The Burundian military claimed that 80 Shabaab fighters and seven Burundian troops have been killed over the past several days during fighting in Mogadishu. Shabaab established an immigration and customs office in Baidoa.

The Somali government said 49 civilian were among 115 people killed during heavy fighting in Mogadishu. The African Union claimed 60 Shabaab fighters have been killed. Shabaab threatened to attack Kenya as the country trains Somali forces.

Forty-eight people were killed in heavy fighting between Somali forces and Shabaab fighters in Mogadishu. Shabaab is pressing young men to fight in Jowhar. President Sharif said the government has defeated Shabaab.