Tag Archives: Somalia

Twenty-five people were killed after Shabaab and Hizbul Islam forces attacked African Union peacekeepers in Mogadishu; a Red Cross worker was among those killed. Fifteen civilians were wounded in a hand grenade attack in Bosasso in Puntland.

Two terror suspects were arrested at the Mogadishu airport. Shabaab denied kidnapping aid workers in Mandera. The UN vowed not to halt operations in Somalia but closed its offices in Baidoa after Shabaab looted them. Shabaab destroyed graves in towns near Afgoye.

Two people were killed in Mogadishu after Shabaab attacked African Union forces. Eritrea™s president reportedly pressured Hizbul Islam leader Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys to help free the two captured French security officials. Shabaab shut down three UN aid agencies operating in Somalia.

Shabaab said the two French security officials kidnapped this week will be tried for spying and “conspiracy against Islam.” Gunmen kidnapped three foreign aid workers in the Kenyan border town of Mandera, then slipped back across the border into Somalia. Four Somalis were killed during clashes in Beledweyn.

Shabaab and Hizbul Islam split the custody of the two French security officials kidnapped at a hotel in Mogadishu just two days ago. Shabaab and Hizbul Islam split up the French officials to prevent a clash between the groups. Both have demanded a ransom for the release of the hostages.

Shabaab and Hizbul Islam forces retook control of northern Mogadishu just one day after the government declared a “historic victory.” Two French security officials were kidnapped from a hotel in Mogadishu. Shabaab established a political administration in villages near Wanlaweyn.

Fifty-nine people, including 40 Shabaab fighters, three government soldiers, the chief of security for Mogadishu, and a Bangladeshi foreign fighter were killed uring heavy fighting in Mogadishu. The government has claimed to have retaken control of Mogadishu. Shabaab denied reports it beheaded criminals in Baidoa.

Shabaab beheaded seven men in Baidoa for ‘crimes’ ranging from spying for the transitional government to being Christians. The beheadings were conducted in public. A soldier was killed in an IED attack in Mogadishu.

Fighting has again broken out in the capital of Mogadishu. Young Somali men are fleeing Mogadishu to avoid being pressed into militias. The US is shipping arms to the Somali government through Uganda. Egypt will mediate between President Sharif and Hizbul Islam leader Hassan Dahir Aweys.

Ten Somalis were killed during mortar attacks in northern Mogadishu. Government officials in Hiran defected and joined Hizbul Islam. Ahlu Sunna Waljama claimed it took control of southern Galka™yo.

African peacekeepers targeted Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam with artillery fire in neighborhoods in Mogadishu. Ethiopian troops have withdrawn from the town of Balanbal in central Somalia. Shabaab chopped off the hand of a man convicted in a sharia court in the town of Merka.

Seven Somalis were killed during clashes between Hizbul Islam and government forces in northern Mogadishu. Ethiopian troops have moved near Beledweyn in central Somalia. President Sharif accused Shabaab and Hizbul Islam of using child soldiers in Somalia. “Terrorists spend effort to trick young children…Al Qaeda is involved in this,” Sharif said.

Heavy fighting has broken out in Mahaday. President Sharif said insurgent operations “are planned by Eritrean officials in Somalia.” Shabaab is patrolling the Bakara market in Mogadishu. Shabaab also denounced the US arms shipment to the Somali transitional government.

Shabaab carried out double amputations on four men for stealing in Mogadishu. Ahlu Sunna Waljama™a imposed a curfew in the town of Abudwak. Ethiopia said it has no plans to redeploy troops to Somalia.

More than half of the parliamentarians have left the country; the parliament has not held a session since April 25. Shabaab threatened to kill the transportation minister. Members of parliament are negotiating with Shabaab and Hizbul Islam.

Hizbul Islam leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys vowed to fight any foreign troops in Somalia while Shabaab’s administration in Kismayo warned Kenya not to interfere. Ethiopia rejected Somalia’s request for troops but is reported to be moving forces to the border areas.

The government declared a state of emergency while the speaker of parliament requested that Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Yemen, and other countries send troops to Somalia as soon as possible. A member of parliament was killed during heavy fighting in Mogadishu.

Casualties in yesterday’s suicide attack in Betelweyn rose to 35 killed and more than 50 wounded. The Kenyan government said it was prepared to intervene in Somalia to stem the deteriorating security situation. Ethiopian troops visited the town of Elberde in Bakol province to meet with town elders.

A Shabaab suicide bomber killed the interior minister and a former ambassador during an attack outside a hotel in Beletwein that killed more than 20 people. Ten more Somalis have been killed during fighting in Mogadishu. The Hawiye clan denounced African Union troops for shelling in the capital.