Somalia Heads for Civil War

ohmynews ^ | 2006-07-24 | Amin George Forj

[Flavius]

When the Union of the Islamic Courts (UIC) seized the Somali capital of Mogadishu on June 5, it was generally feared that it would only be a matter of time before they clashed with the forces of the interim government based in the outskirt town of Baidoa.

Those fears are now real, following clashes between the two groups on Saturday. The government forces took the offensive, seizing two heavily armed armored trucks belonging to the Islamists known as "technicals," both armed with anti-aircraft guns, which they set on fire. The Islamists traditionally use these technicals in place of tanks.

The Islamists responded to the government's offensive by raiding a small base belonging to the government forces, but no casualties were reported. The Islamists later withdrew from the base following quick advances to the area by Ethiopian troops that have moved into the fragile country to sustain the interim government.

Both clashes took place in Qoryooley, a district just outside Baidoa. The Islamists, who on Friday called for a holy war, or jihad, against the Ethopian troops, renewed their pledge following the clashes with the government forces. Tension mounted between the two sides when the Islamists earlier this week began deploying it's troops towards Baidoa in what many saw as a move to overthrow the interim government and assume full control of the nation.

This provoked Addis Ababa who intervened instantly, sending a sizable force to protect the fragile government of President Abdullahi Yusuf, generally backed by Western countries. Ethiopia has warned that they will crush any attack on the legitimate government, stressing that the Islamists who are based in the South of the country, including the capital Mogadishu, must not make any advances up north.

"Ethiopia has made it clear on several occasions that there is a border line they must not cross. If they do they will be crushed," a senior Ethiopian government official reiterated on Saturday.

Following the latest incidents, the Islamists announced that they were withdrawing from talks with the government.

"We do not negotiate with a government which is being helped by the enemy of Somalia," one of the Islamist's leaders, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, wrote to the delegates at the ongoing talks. The recent tensions have raised fears that the country is quickly moving to the brink of civil war.

Ethiopian troops meanwhile on Saturday made new incursions, capturing the strategic town of Wajid and it's airport for the government. The town, which lies about 70 kilometers to the north, was formerly under the control of militias, having allegiance to the Islamists. The Ethiopian government has not officially confirmed their presence in the horn of Africa country, but a Somali government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity admitted the Ethiopian presence for the first time to Reuters News agency.

"They are there, but not in the big numbers people are saying. But believe me, if the Islamists attack, they will come .... Our national army is not set up yet and they have many militias, so we need assistance," he said, also calling for the militias to be disarmed.

"The Islamic courts present a threat to the transitional federal government if they are not disarmed ... The Islamic courts are part of this community ... They have no right to keep weapons."

[liberat]

you mean that black hawk down had something to do with militant muslims? what the #*$%?!?!?!?!

[eyespysomething]

Sittinyonder and I just spent the last hour researching the history of Somalia since 1993. I can't even remember what got us started, but he wasn't aware of the current situation developing, and I only had a cursory knowledge of events.

What a craphole. Sorry, but it is.

I was glad the Ethiopian troops moved into Baidoa to fight the jihadists. Someone needs to.

Or else some large nation needs to park a naval ship off the coast and shell Mogadishu until nothing's left alive. Hmmm...

[ncountylee]

Urban renewal, Mad Moe style.

[Flavius]

as soon as the western backed militia collapsed in mogadishu and were disband-end the ethiopa was im sure asked to at least stop the spread for now towards the government area

so its a status quo maybe, i dont think somali militia is capable of removing ethiopian troops

and ethiopian troops are unable to remove somali militia

so this will simmer for awhile along with the rest of the hot spots

[eyespysomething]

It's kinda daunting knowing how many hot spots there are in the world.

Islamist fascism has spread so far and wide.

[SICSEMPERTYRANNUS]

The islamists should not take the intervention of Ethiopian troops lightly. They have combat experience (vis a vis the war with Eritrea) and they will not hesitate to go medieval if necessary. They are not constrained like western forces. Addis has little patience for what is going on in Somalia. They have a somewhat moderate islamic population in the eastern part of the country and they want it to stay that way.

SIC

[Flavius]

someone mentioned that ethiopia could use a sea port

[John Will]

Don't you have to be a state to have a civil war?

[SICSEMPERTYRANNUS]

If I read you correctly, interesting analysis. If this is how ETH gets their port, oh well.

SIC