Posted on 05/07/2008 7:59:37 AM PDT by processing please hold
Food riots and anti-US protests in Somalia are compounding the chaos in the long-suffering war zone in the Horn of Africa.
Meanwhile, an Amnesty International Report released Tuesday alleged that Islamist militants, as well as US-backed Ethiopian and Somali government troops, are committing widespread atrocities against civilians in the capital, Mogadishu. And a recent US strike against what it says was an Al Qaeda leader in Somalia has sparked further protests.
The Associated Press reports that Tuesday saw a second day of protests over rising food prices, with hundreds of youths burning tires, throwing stones, and blocking roads.
Somalia is just the latest country to see riots over rising food prices, after others including Haiti, Egypt, Cameroon, and Burkina Faso. The Financial Times has a map of the civil unrest sparked by the food crisis here.
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
They get what they deserve. Let them ride the whirlwind of what's happening in their country.
Sort-of. There are a small number of Al Qaeda fighters in Somalia. There was a chance that the Islamic Courts Union might eventually have become a Taliban-like Qaeda supporter. But that hadn't happened by the time the US and Ethiopia intervened, and it is significantly more likely now because of the public backlash the Ethiopians and US generated. Eventually the Ethiopians will leave and because of how they've bungled things, I suspect that Al Qaeda might just now take over.
That's why the US desperately needs to find a Somali alternative to the Islamists. Not an Ethiopian / foreign alternative but a native born one that won't generate nationalist resentment.
As opposed to who, the Ethiopians?
Sort of my ass. (pardon my french) Somalia is filled to the rafters with al qaeda. What's wrong with you and what are you trying to pull?
Look at your wording. 'Sort of', 'a chance', 'might eventually'. Are you an apologist or an enabler?
I suspect that Al Qaeda might just now take over.
I cannot believe what I'm reading concerning your post. al qaeda HAS taken over. Does the name Abduallahi Moalim Ali, ring any bells? How about Abdirahman Janaqow? The ICU is al qaeda and all your window dressing won't change that fact. Somalia's islamic thugs are giving sanctuary to our enemies.
Where in the title of the article does it even mention Ethiopia? It doesn't. What propaganda could they wring out of having the Ethiopians in the headlines. None. How much propaganda if the 'Satan' US was?
Your view of the facts differs dramatically from the views of the CIA, the DoD Africa Command, the FBI and the US State Department. Somalia isn't "filled to the rafters with Al Qaeda." However, it could be soon, as the country's Islamists are being radicalized by the unbelievably unpopular Ethiopian occupation.
Right now, radical Islamists, a few of whom do have ties to Al Qaeda, represent the only credible alternative to the Ethiopian occupation. That needs to change or else you will see a terror state emerge in the southern part of the country, as well as in Mogadishu whenever the Ethiopians withdraw.
So blame the headline writer. But the fact is that Somalis conflate the Ethiopians and Americans. Both are foreign. Both are predominately Christian, and the Americans have strongly backed the unpopular Ethiopian invasion. Ethiopian troops have acted badly, and America, not just Ethiopia, gets the blame from the Somali public.
Great verbiage!
CIA, the DoD Africa Command, the FBI and the US State Department.
Hahahaha, yeah, paragons of the truth. Using the the State Department really made me laugh.
Right now, radical Islamists, a few of whom do have ties to Al Qaeda, represent the only credible alternative to the Ethiopian occupation.
There's just no way of getting through to you, is there? First you talk about the ICU, I show you where al qaeda are members in that very court and you switch gears, again. Radical islamist with ties to al qaeda is a 'credible alternative' to the Ethiopian army? You got it bad, real bad.
In the long run, that would be much better for us because we could stop throwing money away on them, and beter for them because it would require some self reliance.
I agree. I think we're just pouring money down a rat-hole.
and beter for them because it would require some self reliance.
Do you think Americans who draw welfare as their job payment and a way of life would want to get off welfare and be self reliant? I don't think so. Some people here and in third world countries like being under the charity of others, they don't have to use their brains. Then when problems arrive in their pathetic lives they'll have someone to blame besides themselves. Nothing is ever their fault.
Meanwhile, McDonalds is giving away chicken sandwiches.
Perhaps if they adopted the Western Culture instead of their backwards assed islamic culture, they wouldn’t be hungry now.
I'm not sure why you're trying to pick a fight with me. My point is simply that the US has a significant interest in making sure Somalia is stable and not run by Al Qaeda, because as long it's unstable it poses a national security threat.
Hahahaha, yeah, paragons of the truth. Using the the State Department really made me laugh.
And what are your sources? What's your problem?
First you talk about the ICU, I show you where al qaeda are members in that very court and you switch gears, again. Radical islamist with ties to al qaeda is a 'credible alternative' to the Ethiopian army?
Yes, the ICU are the only credible alternatives in the eyes of the Somali public, which is why they're still getting support and the provisional government is floundering. I don't like that -- I agree it's a problem -- and that's precisely why the US needs to find a credible alternative.
Sounds good. I haven't had a McDonalds in quiet awhile. :)
Perhaps if they adopted the Western Culture instead of their backwards assed islamic culture, they wouldn’t be hungry now.
That's something I could never see them doing. They'd rather starve, riot and die than to modernize their country to the Western fashion.
Wow, you seem to be quit the expert on Somalis, Somalia, and Somali culture. Yep, I'm sure it's just cultural obstinacy on their part that prevents Somali McDonalds from handing out free chicken sandwiches... (rolls eyes)
I'm not picking a fight with you I'm just stunned and shocked at some of the things you are saying.
You're going back and forth.
My point is simply that the US has a significant interest in making sure Somalia is stable and not run by Al Qaeda, because as long it's unstable it poses a national security threat.
Which is why Ethiopia is there with our backing.
And what are your sources? What's your problem?
Where do I start?
CIA - clintons cronies were left there when Bush was elected and they've done their best to destroy him, even at the cost of the country.
DOD - They fire a man who was hired to investigate radical islamist at the behest of an islamist in their midst.
State Department, that one's too easy. You figure it out. lol
Do you have any idea just what countries are backing the ICU? Even wikipedia has this posted.
In November 2006, a UN arms monitoring group released information that all groups in Somalia were given logistical support by a dozen countries.[49] Those countries claimed those allegations. These are the allegations documented by the UN monitoring group:
* Flag of Djibouti Djibouti: According to that report, the government of Djibouti has provided military uniforms and medicines in support of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). On July 30, 2006, a Djibouti Airlines aircraft landed at an airport in Mogadishu with medicines and military uniforms intended for ICU. The true nature of the cargo was disguised, and it was presented as being from the Red Crescent Society of Djibouti to conceal its origins. After the cargo was unloaded, the aircraft proceeded to Mogadishu's main airport.
* Flag of Egypt Egypt: The government has allegedly provided training in support of ICU. On July 26, 2006, a meeting took place in Mogadishu between officials from ICU and visiting Libyan, Egyptian and Eritrean senior military officers at the residence of ICU finance chief Abdulkadir Abukar Omar Adani. According to the report, the meeting resolved that military training be provided to about 3,800 fighters at the Hilweyne military barracks, near Bal'ad town, north of Mogadishu.
* Flag of Eritrea Eritrea: The Eritrean government "Allegedly" provided at least 28 separate consignments of arms, ammunition and military equipment. It also gave troops and training to the Islamic Courts Union. On April 26, 2006, a shipment of arms destined for ICU consisting of AK-47 assault rifles, PKM machine-guns, RPG-7s and ammunition arrived on a dhow at the seaport of El Ma'an. On May 6, 2006, an Eritrean Antonov military aircraft landed at Dhusamareeb in the Galgaduud region of Somalia. Awaiting the landing were about 75 people, five lorries and two Land Cruisers. The aircraft carried anti-aircraft guns which were loaded onto the lorries. On May 9, 2006, a dhow arrived at the El Ahmed seaport, and on board were fighters from Pakistan and the Oromo Liberation Front of Ethiopia. The fighters remained on the dhow. Five of the 75 people associated with the receipt of the anti-aircraft guns on May 6, 2006, boarded the dhow, along with some of anti-aircraft guns. ICU member Aden Hashi Farah "Eyrow", one of the leaders of the Hizbul Shabaab (youth movement), took possession of the arms and military uniforms. This information was given from The American Government whom have very poor relations with Eritrea. On An interview with the Riz Khan Aljezerra talk show, Eritreas government claimed that these accusations are based on false assumptions
* Hezbollah: The Hezbollah movement has been reported to provide military training to ICU and has made arrangements with other states on behalf of ICU for the latter to receive arms. In mid-July 2006, ICU apparently sent about 720 men to Lebanon to fight alongside Hezbollah against the Israeli military. The Somali force was personally selected by ICU's Hizbul Shabaab (youth movement) leader Aden Hashi Farah "Eyrow." One of the selection criteria was an individual's combat experience, which might include experience in Afghanistan. In exchange for the contribution of the Somali military force, Hezbollah arranged for additional support to be given to ICU by the governments of Iran and Syria.
* Flag of Iran Iran: The UN monitoring group stated that Iran has provided at least three consignments of arms and ammunition and medical supplies and the services of three medical doctors to ICU. On July 25, 2006, an aircraft containing a shipment of arms arrived at the Baledogle airport and was met by ICU head of the security affairs, Sheikh Yusuf Mohamed Siyaad "Indohaadde," and the chairman of the Dayniile Islamic Court, Sheikh Hussein Janaqow. The UN monitoring team says that the arms shipment consisted of machine guns and M79 grenade launchers. On August 17, 2006, a large dhow containing foods and arms destined for ICU arrived in El-Adde seaport, Mogadishu. The arms consisted of 80 man-portable, shoulder-fired, surface-to-air missiles and rocket launchers.
* Flag of Libya Libya: Furthermore, the UN monitoring report states that the Libyan government has sent military aircraft to Somalia and has provided training, funds and at least a consignment of arms in support of ICU. On July 24, 2006, a delegation of military officers arrived at the Baledogle airport and on July 26, 2006, participated in a meeting in Mogadishu with ICU officials and visiting Egyptian and Eritrean senior military officers at the house of ICU finance chief Abdulkadir Abukar Omar Adani. On July 31, 2006, a vessel with arms and foods for ICU docked early in the morning at the seaport of El-Ma'an.
* Flag of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia: Furthermore, the document states that Saudi Arabia has given logistical support in the form of foodstuff and medicines intended for use by the ICU. On June 11, 2006, a C-130 aircraft left Jazan for the Baledogle airport. But the government said the flight had taken place for "medical" reasons. On August 14, 2006 , seven trucks containing logistical supplies, including foods and ammunition, left Mogadishu for an ICU location in the central regions of Somalia. Accompanying the convoy were 320 ICU fighters sent to reinforce fighters in the central regions.
* Flag of Syria Syria: On July 27, 2006, 200 ICU fighters were transported by aircraft to Syria for training in guerrilla warfare.
Yes, the ICU are the only credible alternatives in the eyes of the Somali public
Hell, the Somali public can't even feed themselves but we're supposed to trust their judgement?
Look at the ICU's enablers. Our enemies one and all yet you believe that court is a good thing?
Blame-America-First BUMP
and
WHY ON EARTH DO WE LET THESE PEOPLE IMMIGRATE TO THE USA?
(e.g., The Twin Cities and Maine)
The best way to help Africa is to quit helping Africa.
Are they feeding themselves? I started hating that loathsome country after seeing what they did to our soldiers. Let 'em starve, let 'em riot. It's their country, let 'em destroy it.
Oh - and you're an a$$.
It may surprise you to know that we have one on this thread.
WHY ON EARTH DO WE LET THESE PEOPLE IMMIGRATE TO THE USA?
You got me. I have no idea but if I were to guess we are sowing the seeds of our own destruction.
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