Tag Archives: Somalia

Three government soldiers were killed during infighting in Mogadishu. The Ethiopian government denied reports that its soldiers have reentered Somalia; Ethiopian troops inside Somalia said they are tasked with rooting out foreign fighters. Shabaab threatened to attack the Ethiopian troops.

Ethiopian troops entered Somalia and established bases in the town of Balanbal in Galgudud province. Hisbul Islam wanted pro-government factions not to organize in Gedo. Ahlu Sunna Waljama is conducting operations in Abudwak in central Somalia.

More than 30 soldiers based in Mogadishu and originally from the pro-government faction of the Islamic Courts have defected and joined Hizbul Islam. The US Navy warned that Somali pirates are expanding operations beyond the Somali coast and have begun to target ships in the Red Sea.

Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys spoke to the media hours after he was reported dead during fighting in Wabho, and said he would hold a press conference on June 8. Sheik Hassan Turki, the leader of the Shabaab-linked Ras Kamboni Brigade, is rumored to have been wounded or killed during the same battle.

Reports indicate 123 people were killed in the battle between the pro-government Ahla Sunna Waljamaca and Shabaab and Hizbul Islam in the town of Wahbo. An Ahla Sunna Waljamaca spokesman said Hizbul Islam leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys was killed in the fighting, but Hizbul Islam denied the report.

Ten Somalis were killed during fighting in Wabho, four were killed in Mogadishu, and two more were killed in a bombing in Beledweyn. Islamist forces targeted an African Union convoy in an IED attack in Mogadishu; no casualties were reported. Ethiopia admitted it has sent forces into western Somalia to conduct “reconnaisance” missions but said […]

Shabaab said the government in Mogadishu failed as fighting resumed in the capital. Pro-government Islamic Courts Union forces retreated from Mahaday. Government officials said they plan to recapture the Bay and Bakool provinces.

Government forces took control of two police stations in northern and southern Mogadishu after battling Hizbul Islam and Shabaab. Ten Somalis were reported killed in the fighting. Somali troops moved into the town of Beledweyne. Gunmen kidnapped a TV director outside of Mogadishu.

Eight people were killed and more than 50 were injured during fighting between government troops and Hizbul Islam in Mogadishu. Five policemen were killed and five civilians were wounded in an IED attack in Mogadishu. Ethiopian troops are conducting an operation in the mountains in Hiran province.

The security minister and the finance minister were attacked as they traveled in eastern Ethiopia. Government troops captured then executed three teenage boys in Mogadishu. A Hizbul Islam commander was killed in Mogadishu.

Shabaab called the UN Security Council’s decision to extend the African Union peacekeeping mandate in Somalia an “atrocity to the Muslims.” Shabaab banned men and women from sitting together on public transportation in Kismayo. Islamic Courts forces supporting the government vowed to retake the Middle Shabelle region from Shabaab and Hizbul Islam.

Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys has been officially named the leader of Hizbul Islam. Seven people were killed in shelling in Mogadishu as Somali troops have deployed to secure the airport. More than 200 pirates reportedly renounced the illegal practice.

President Ahmed said Somalia has been “invaded by foreign fighters, who are using Somali factions and their objective is to keep the country in chaos and to hide international criminals.” The Somali cabinet has agreed to close all ports to halt the flow of weapons into the country during a visit by the UN Special […]

A Shabaab suicide bomber killed six policemen and a civilian in an attack on a police station in Mogadishu. The Islamic Courts denied that some factions have joined the Shabaab/Hizbul Islam alliance. The pro-government Ahlu Sunna Waljama denounced the destruction of grave sites.

More than 45 people were killed after Somali government forces attacked Shabaab and Hizbul Islam forces in an effort to retake control in Mogadishu. Hassan Dahir Aweys said Eritrea supports the Islamist insurgency and few Arabs are fighting alongside Shabaab. The African Union has called for sanctions on Eritrea for backing Shabaab and Hizbul Islam.

Four Somalis were killed during fighting between the Islamic Courts and Hizbul Islam in the town of Mahaday. Shabab held a press conference in Mogadishu to announce the appointment of Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage as its new spokesman. The Hawiye clan denounced the Somali government.

Shabaab leader Sheikh Muktar Abdirahman Godane was reportedly wounded during a May 18 blast in Mogadishu that killed 17 Shabaab fighters, including four foreigners. Shabaab killed three civilians in a mortar attack on an African Union base in Mogadishu and formed an Islamic administration in Jowhar. Government ministers and warlords have declared war on Shabaab.