Tag Archives: Somalia

US and Somali intelligence officials claim that between 300-1200 foreign fighters have become part of Shabaab. The group’s leaders are foreign and it receives support and direction from al Qaeda central in Pakistan.

Two Ugandan soldiers were killed last week during fighting in Mogadishu. Hizbul Islam warned of “air raids” by foreign governments. The pro-government Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a denied cutting off communications in Dusomareb.

The pro-government Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a claimed 90 Shabaab fighters were killed during recent clashes in Mogadishu’s Bakara market. Ten Shabaab fighters were killed in a vehicle accident in the Bay region. Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a shut down telecommunications in Dhusamareb as part of a “military tactic.”

Fighting between Shabaab and government forces in Mogadishu killed 23 people, most of whom are civilians. US intelligence officials said more than 200 foreign fighters are in Somalia.

Somali and African Union forces attacked Shabaab and Hizbul Islam strongholds in the capital of Mogadishu; 16 people were killed and 30 more were wounded in the fighting. Puntland forces freed a cargo ship and its crew hijacked by pirates.

Twenty-five people were killed during clashes in and around Dhusamareb between Shabaab and the pro-government Ahlu Sunna Waljama™a. The crew of a Libyan cargo ship overpowered pirates to retake control.

Hizbul Islam denied it withdrew its forces from Beledweyne, a strategic town in central Somalia. Shabelle Radio secretly moved its headquarters from the Shabaab-controlled Bakara market in Mogadishu to an area near the airport under government control.

Shabaab attacked government and Ethiopian troops in Elberde. Hizbul Islam fighters withdrew from Beledweyne. Hizbul Islam ordered Universal TV to shut down after the station broadcast an image of the Prophet Mohammed.

Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden has been elected to to lead Somalia’s parliament. Shabaab executed a man accused of murder in Marka. Hizbul Islam is rounding up “bandits” south of the capital.

Shabaab took control of several villages in the Galgudud region in central Somalia. Shabaab rejected Hizbul Islam’s call to unite. The state minister for defense and two other ministers dodged an IED attack in Mogadishu that killed three civilians.

Hizbul Islam leader Hassan Dahir Aweys called for Islamist terror groups to unite. Three people were killed in mortar attacks in Mogadishu. The prime minister has refused to vacate his post, sparking a political crisis.

Heavy fighting took place in northern Mogadishu after government and African Union forces attacked Shabaab positions. The African Union vowed to stop Shabaab from taking the presidential palace. A woman was killed in a bombing in Mogadishu.

Police vowed to attack Shabaab in the capital. Hizbul Islam detained three journalists in Afgoi. Fighters from the pro-government Ahlu Sunna Waljama™a arrived in Mogadishu to fight Shabaab and Hizbul Islam.

A bombing at a military checkpoint in Mogadishu killed a Somali soldier and wounded 12 others. After taking control of northern Mogadishu, Shabaab vowed to overrun the Presidential Palace.

Twenty-six civilians were killed in heavy fighting in Mogadishu. Hizbul Islam ordered aid organizations to shutter operations in Hiran. A German security company will support a Somali warlord.

Thirteen people were killed in clashes between Ethiopian forces and civilians in the town of Buhodle. African Union forces joined the fighting in Mogadishu as Shabaab fighters advance on the Presidential Palace. Hizbul Islam announced it would force an Islamic government and enforce sharia.

Insurgents killed a Ugandan soldier in Mogadishu. Six people were killed during clashes between Ethiopian troops and residents of Buhaodlke in Somaliland. Shabaab looted the Radio Somaliweyn headquarters in Mogadishu.

Puntland forces detained 12 pirates, including a wanted leader on a US watchlist. Two civilians were killed in shelling in Mogadishu. Shabaab claimed it carried out a bombing that targeted African Union forces in the capital.

Two Somali soldiers were killed in Mogadishu. Hizbul Islam killed a drug addict in Afgoi. Hizbul Islam warned businessmen not to use the new Somali currency. A Somali official criticized the US for prosecuting a captive pirate.