The president of Puntland, a semi-autonomous region, claimed that its security forces killed 96 Shabaab fighters under the command of Mohamed Said Atom in the Galgala region. The president said Shabaab fighters are now based in the Sanaag region in Somaliland.
A senior Shabaab leader said that the terror group would strike in the capitals of Uganda and Burundi if their troops did not leave Somalia. “We will attack Kampala and Bujumbura and there will be mass exodus of civilians just like Mogadishu,” he stated.
Shabaab fighters killed three Somali soldiers during fighting in Mogadishu. The African Union authorized more than 800 Somali police officers to be trained in Kenya and Djibouti.
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Hizbul Islam leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys vowed to continue to wage jihad against Somali and African Union forces. A Shabaab leader urged women to send their sons to wage jihad in Mogadishu. The president of Puntland declared victory over Shabaab forces under the command of Mohamed Said Atom.
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Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, a Somali-American, was sworn in as the country’s new prime minister. Fifteen people were killed in fighting between Shabaab and Somali and African Union forces in Mogadishu.
Shabaab claimed it took control of the contested southern town of Balad-hawo. Hawiye elders denounced the African Union for shelling and killing Somalis in Mogadishu. Pirates hijacked a cargo ship and captured 24 crew members.
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Shabaab executed two teenage girls for “spying.” Fighting between Shabaab and Somali forces in the Bakool region left 15 people dead. Gunmen murdered six clerics in central Somalia. A Danish warship destroyed a pirate boat.
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Ten people were killed in clashes between government forces and Shabaab in Mogadishu. Shabaab said the Mustafa Abu Yazid Brigade killed several Somali troops during the fighting. Gunmen assassinated two prominent clerics in Adado.
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Twenty people were killed in clashes between Shabaab fighters and government forces in the Boondere district north of Mogadishu. Shabaab commander Mohammed Said Atom is believed to be hiding in Somaliland after Puntland forces attacked his bases in the Galgala mountains.
Senior Shabaab leaders Ali Mohamad Rage and Sheikh Muktar Robow sponsored a Shabaab parade of thousands of fighters in the capital of Mogadishu. Robow said Shabaab would avenge the death of Mustaf Abu Yazid, the top al Qaeda leader and financier killed in a US predator strike in May 2010.
Twenty people were killed during a failed Shabaab offensive that sought to retake control of Balad-hawa district on the Kenyan border. Puntland claimed it took control of Shabaab’s last safe haven in the Galgala mountains. The African Union is seeking an air and naval blockade of Somalia.
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Five people were killed during a mortar exchange between African Union and Shabaab forces in Mogadishu. Zachary Adam Chesser pled guilty in a US court to providing material support for Shabaab and encouraging others to attack the producers of South Park. The US backs an increase of African Union forces in Somalia.
The UN will establish a political office in Somalia. Shabaab and Hizbul Islam fighters tortured and then murdered the former police chief in Afgoi. Shabaab banned the use of mobile phone money transfer services. A British aid worker kidnapped in the Galgudud was released.
Twelve people were killed during clashes in Beledweyne between pro-government forces and Shabaab fighters. “Gunmen” ambushed and killed 20 Shabaab fighters in Hiran province. Puntland security forces captured four Shabaab fighters in the Galgala mountains.
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Shabaab and government forces continued to fight in the town of El-gal in Beledweyne. The Somali government called on Somalis to turn in Shabaab and foreign fighters. Farah Maalim, the Deputy House Speaker for Kenya and an ally of the Islamic Courts, accused the US of genocide in Somalia.
Five people were killed in fighting between Shabaab and Hizbul Islam forces in the Bakara market in Mogadishu. More than 20 people were killed during the fighting between Shabaab and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama™a in Dhusamareb. Somali troops claimed to have taken control of Balad-hawo.
Shabaab took control of the town of Dhusamareb from Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama™a after the Sufi group battled a rival clan for control of Adado. Shabaab forces attacked the town of Elgal in Hiran province, sparking heavy fighting.
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One person was killed during clashes between Shabaab and Somali forces in Mogadishu. Two aid workers from Save the Children were kidnapped by “Armed gunmen” in Adodo. An Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama™a leader took control of the Adodo district.
President Sharif appointed a new prime minister. Shabaab arrested the director of Radio Mandeeq. Hawiye clan elders urged businessmen to leave the Bakara market, the scene of constant fighting between Shabaab and government forces.