Tag Archives: Somalia

Puntland’s president declared war on Shabaab and pirates. Shabaab is attempting to raise millions of dollars at markets in southern Somalia. Botswana will not provide troops to the AMISOM force in Mogadishu.

Shabaab and Hizbul Islam spokesmen held a joint press conference in Mogadshu and said the two groups are continuing talks over a merger. The spokesmen denied reports that talks had failed. A Shabaab spokesman said additional African Union troops “will be met with strong resistance.”

Negotiations between Shabaab and Hizbul Islam in Mogadishu failed to lead to a merger between the two terror groups. Sheik Muktar Robow Ali Abu Mansoor and Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys are said to have attended the meeting. Three soldiers and two civilians were wounded in an attack near a police station in Dharkenlay.

Twenty-one people were killed in clashes in Mogadishu between Shabaab and government and African Union forces. Both Shabaab’s spokesman and Sheikh Atom denied that fighting in Puntland is related to the al Qaeda-linked group.

Sheikh Mohamed Said Atom, a top Shabaab leader in Puntland, vowed to wage jihad in the semi-autonomous region. “We shall never stop fighting Puntland,’ Atom said in a press conference in Galkayo. “We are part and parcel of al Shabaab, we are brothers united by Islamic sharia.”

The African Union said an additional 4,000 troops would be sent to Somalia and it is considering loosening the rules of engagement. Hizbul Islam leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys called for Somalis to wage jihad against African Union forces and said talks with Shabaab are going well.

Ten Shabaab fighters and five Puntland security personnel were killed in clashes in the Sanaag mountains. Veterans of al Qaeda’s training camps in Afghanistan now run Shabaab, according to intelligence reports. AFRICOM will increase support to African Union forces in Mogadishu.

A Shabaab operative suspected of aiding in the double suicide attack in Kampala, Uganda, was detained in New York as he tried to board a flight for Uganda. Guinea said and Djibouti claimed

A Shabaab commander known as Mohamed Said Atom has established a Tora Bora-like complex of bases in the Sanaag mountains between Puntland and Somaliland. The President of Puntland said the Galgala Hills region near Bosaso is “under attack” by “foreign terrorists.” The government has launched an operation in the region.

Shabaab and Kenyan border police exchanged fire near the Liboi border post; both sides sent reinforcements to the region. President Sharif has asked Arab countries to support Somalia in its fight against Shabaab.

Fifteen people were killed in clashes between Islamist and government forces in Mogadishu. Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a ordered radio stations to halt “pro-Al-Shabaab broadcasts.” Shabaab told teachers in Kismayo to stop discouraging students from becoming jihadists.

Kenyan police arrested three men linked to Shabaab and thought to be involved with the suicide attacks in Uganda. The US vowed to continue to support the African Union mission in Somalia. President Sharif vowed to not let Somalia remain a safe haven for Shabaab and al Qaeda.

The leader of Shabaab threatened further attacks in Uganda and Burundi if the countries did not withdraw peacekeepers from Somalia. The leader also said the Saleh Ali Nabhan Brigade carried out the July 11 attacks in Uganda. Two Somali reporters have been detained in Uganda.