. Picture is also link.
Posted on 12/26/2006 6:58:34 AM PST by meg88
Ethiopian troops advance on Mogadishu
December 27, 2006
ETHIOPIAN troops are advancing on the Somali capital and could seize it within two days.
Somalia's envoy to Ethiopia said yesterday: "Ethiopian forces are on their way to Mogadishu. They are about 70 kilometres away and it is possible they could capture it in the next 24 to 48 hours."
Addis Ababa has vowed to protect Somalia's weak interim Government from rival Islamists based in Mogadishu, and a week of artillery and mortar duels between the two sides has spiralled into open war that both sides say has killed hundreds.
Islamist fighters have retreated from the front line, with troops loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts withdrawing more than 50 kilometres to the south-east from Daynuney, a town just south of the Government's headquarters of Baidoa.
Ethiopian jets fired missiles at the retreating soldiers yesterday, after bombing Somalia's two Islamist-held international airports on Monday.
While the Government hailed the retreat as a partial victory, the Islamists insisted their withdrawal and re-grouping was a tactic in what they vowed would be a long war.
The Islamist forces also abandoned their main stronghold in Bur Haqaba and were forming convoys heading towards the capital Mogadishu, reported residents in villages along the road.
"We woke up from our sleep this morning and the town was empty of troops, not a single Islamic fighter," said Ibrahim Muhammad Aden, a resident of Bur Haqaba. Another resident said locals were looting the food left behind.
Islamic fighters were also reportedly retreating on two other fronts in the war for control of Somalia. On the northern front, Government and Ethiopian troops entered the town of Bulo Barde, where two weeks ago a Muslim cleric said anyone who did not pray five times a day would be executed.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi announced on Saturday that he had sent troops into Somalia to fight international terrorists, defend Ethiopian interests and prop up the besieged UN-backed Government, which has only a small military force.
But Mr Zenawi has said he does not intend to keep his forces in Somalia for long. He has told visiting dignitaries in Addis Ababa that his goal is to severely damage the Islamic Courts' military capabilities, take away their sense of invincibility and allow both sides to return to peace talks on an even footing.
The Islamic group, which wants to rule the country by the Koran, has been a source of grave concern for Ethiopia. Since June, it has seized control of the capital and much of southern Somalia.
No reliable casualty reports are available. Both sides claim to have killed hundreds of their enemy, but independent observers were not given access to the battlefield. The Arab League, which has mediated several rounds of talks between the Somali Government and the Islamists, called for all parties involved to "immediately hold a comprehensive ceasefire".
Many Somalis are enraged by Ethiopian involvement - the countries have fought two wars over their disputed border in the past 45 years.
Somalia has not had an effective government since warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, plunging the country into chaos.
AP, REUTERS
ping. (if you didn't already see this--there are a lot of comments).
The salty Carthage thing is supposed to be a legend; just pointing it out.
Germany did have a few figurative "hiccups" after World War 2, but not nearly to the extent of Iraq. Japan readily fell in line because their religion was not totally wiped out, but was rather coopted. The emperor ordered the Japanese to obey the American forces, and so they did.
. Picture is also link.
This picture is also a link.
Ethopians apparently know when someone declares war on you, you act.
Don't let the battle propaganda come out in favor of the Islamic court. Seems they do that alot.
good to know Ethiopia isn't just standing on the sidelines while Africa is swept by Islamofacists. Godspeed to them
"Can somebody enlighten us FReepers a little about Ethiopia?"
Forty + years ago, a friend of ours had lined up an agreement to grow cotton in the newly developing Awash River Valley. My husband and I were to go there, set up and run a model cotton plantation, provided he could get the New York financing. I immediately began studying. The financing was refused, but as I result, I now know more about Ethiopia and cotton than I will ever be able to use. I hereby contribute some memories which admitedly may be a little rusty, especially as to spellings.
Ethiopia, possibly the home of the biblical Queen of Sheba, became an early convert to Christianity (Coptic variety). In the conflicts between the early church leaders, Constantinople vs. Alexandria, a number of the loosers went to Ethiopia were they established churches and monestaries. See Axum, Lalibella, Gondar. The Portugues "discovered" Ethiopia in the 16th Century. The Italian fascists conquered Ethiopia at the inception of World War II. The Ethiopians fought hard and bravely. I think there was some attempt by the League of Nations to help. Unsuccessfully.
Much of Ethiopia is an upland plateau, with a temporate climate. The Amharic speaking hamitic population has been the rulers. Their Emperor Haile Salasie in the capital Addis Ababa was overthrown by Communists in the early '70s. The Communists were overthrown around the time the Soviet Union slit up. There are three major separate ethnic groups. To the north by Eritria is an Islamic (semitic ?) component. To the west near the Sudan is an African (bantu?) component, and to the south in the disputed Ogaden is a Somali related component.
The land where there is sufficent rainfall is densely overpopulated, ergo periodic famine. There are two periods of rainfall, one of which is called the Small Rains. If either of these fail crop failure is a major danger. Sexual attitudes cause disease to be a significant health problem. Then of course there are all the diseases of poor water supply and malnutrition. In the lowlands are the diseases of tropical and desert Africa.
Once the Communists were out we supported the subsequent government, presumably with military inputs, although I have no specific information. They fought a war or two with the Islamic Eritrians, where the Eritrians finally succeeded. The port of Djibouti was their main outlet to the sea, and it would not surprise me if they want to get it back or at least form a firm alliance that opens it up to easy commerce. Hope this info helps.
"Many Somalis are enraged by Ethiopian involvement......"
Many people from all over the world think the "enraged skinnys"...should be rounded up.
That is really impressive. They may take over the entire country in a week. All respect to the Ethiopian Army, but the "brave mujahideen of Somalia" must be truly pitiful fighters.
Compare this operation's rules of engagement to Clinton's "Black Hawk Down".
Rules of engagement? Kill your enemies.
"When Rome finally conquered Carthage, they killed all the men, the women and children were enslaved and despersed throughout the Empire. Then they leveled the city and spread salt on the fields so nothing would ever grow there again. They had no further trouble with Carthage. After that example, they had no further trouble with anyone for centuries
I see no utility to the West to leave anything standing in Mogadishu"
Unfortunately I forsee the West having to use nuclear weapons on Arab cities. This is not a recommendation of mine but a chain of escalating events drawing other nations into the WOT, nuclear terrorism being used for the first time, etc. Once they have had a bitter taste of such weapons being used on 'holy cities' that are vaporized with mass fallout they will likely change their mind about global jihad.
"When Rome finally conquered Carthage, they killed all the men, the women and children were enslaved and despersed throughout the Empire. Then they leveled the city and spread salt on the fields so nothing would ever grow there again. They had no further trouble with Carthage. After that example, they had no further trouble with anyone for centuries
I see no utility to the West to leave anything standing in Mogadishu"
Unfortunately I forsee the West having to use nuclear weapons on Arab cities. This is not a recommendation of mine but a chain of escalating events drawing other nations into the WOT, nuclear terrorism being used for the first time, etc. Once they have had a bitter taste of such weapons being used on 'holy cities' that are vaporized with mass fallout they will likely change their mind about global jihad.
These Islamofascists are great at bluster and blowing up unsuspecting, unarmed civilians, but I have yet to recall any conventional battle they've actually one with an opposing military force.
"These Islamofascists are great at bluster and blowing up unsuspecting, unarmed civilians, but I have yet to recall any conventional battle they've actually one with an opposing military force."
Their window of operational usefulness is quite narrow.
Blow up some soft target like a day care center then run back home and shoot up.
Retroactive abortion should be legal for liberals.
Bill Roggio is now reporting on his Fourth Rail blog that the Islamic Courts have surrendered.
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