Ensuring that Somaliland and Puntland remain safe zones — like Kurdistan in prewar Iraq Thats the worst line, we are not Iraq and we do not want to be.

Finally, let us hope Somalia avoids another civil war and all parts see how historic this moment really is. Let me also remind you that I can’t be more royalist than the King and the when the bush comes to shove my loyalty lies with the faithful rather than the clan. I suspect you would do the same. Well said indeed. Now an important point here is that we both agree that there is a real problem in the lower Shabbele and Jubas. My position is clear that the people of those regions, must decide its future. The TFG would be wrong to give a veto to the JVA or the likes of Inda Cade. I also agree with you that the TFG has many questions to answer regarding their snail like take on things, their incompetence. Courts, TFG or others , what is important is to empower the people, only through this can we move forward.

Go on Dayniile.com, they have it as their top item..

Go on Dayniile.com, they have it as their top item..

Go on Dayniile.com, they have it as their top item..

Somali Taliban: Editorial, The wall Street Journal Posted to the Web Jul 05, 12:41 Editorial, The wall Street Journal :July 5, 2006 — Events are going from bad to worse in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. The Islamists now running the country have also seized control in much of southern Somalia, made public their intention to declare Shariah law, and named as their leader a cleric on the U.S. watchlist for suspected links to al Qaeda. So it goes in the failed state in northern Africa that is beginning to look like Afghanistan under the Taliban. The world can’t afford another radical Islamic state that shelters terrorists. And while it would be nice to think that Somalia’s neighbors or the United Nations or NATO might do something about all this, the reality is the task will be left to the U.S. Somalia has been without a functioning government since dictator Mohammed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991. Warlords have since fought for political power — most notably, to Americans, in 1993, the year of "Black Hawk Down." Eighteen American special forces were killed in a failed attempt to capture the warlord Mohammad Farrah Aidid and restore order after failed efforts by U.N. peacekeepers. Since 2004, the U.S. and U.N. have backed a transitional government whose members have bickered and accomplished nothing. Enter the Somali Supreme Islamic Courts Council, the alliance of 12 Muslim militias that seized Mogadishu on June 5. They range from moderate to extremist, and until recently neither wing had the upper hand. So long as that was the case, U.S. officials say, it was difficult for al Qaeda to operate from Somalia without being caught in the internecine crossfire. The U.S. says a dozen or so terrorists are hiding in Somalia, including one or two the U.S. believes were responsible for the 1998 bombings of our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Half of the terrorists in Somalia have been linked directly to al Qaeda. The ink had scarcely dried on last month’s cease-fire agreement between the Islamists and the transitional government when the Council demoted its relatively moderate leader, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, in favor of a former associate of Osama bin Laden, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys. One danger is that Islamist militias may next move on the northern half of Somalia. This relatively calm area is divided into semi-autonomous regions called Somaliland and Puntland and home to strategic ports. Ensuring that Somaliland and Puntland remain safe zones — like Kurdistan in prewar Iraq — would be a useful goal of U.S. policy, enforced if necessary with U.S. special forces. The U.S. has a joint task force in nearby Djibouti that trains African troops and helps African countries to track down terrorists. Neighboring Ethiopia is also watching the Islamists’ rise, warning against any movement into the border town of Beledweyne or into Baidoa, where the transitional government is based. Ethiopian officials say they’ve moved troops near the border to guard against an incursion. They also want to discourage cooperation between the Somali Islamists and Ethiopia’s own hostile domestic groups. There’s no appetite in the U.S. for a large military intervention in Somalia, but that doesn’t mean the new regime should think it is immune from outside attention. So here’s a suggestion: Send an emissary to the new Islamist government and propose a deal: Hand over the 1998 embassy bombers, refuse safe harbor to al Qaeda operatives, do not invade Somaliland and Puntland. Agree to that, and we will be able to get along. Don’t agree, and the U.S. will do what it must to disrupt any terrorist camps or terrorist activity within its borders. Al Qaeda interpreted the U.S. retreat from Somalia in 1993 as a sign of weakness that only encouraged further attacks. The Somali Islamists need to understand that if they attempt to turn their country into another refuge for terrorists, it will end as badly for them as it did for the Taliban. Source: ST

I watched the video and there seems to be no foreign fighters, they all looked Somali.

I watched the video and there seems to be no foreign fighters, they all looked Somali.

I watched the video and there seems to be no foreign fighters, they all looked Somali.

I watched the video and there seems to be no foreign fighters, they all looked Somali.

I watched the video and there seems to be no foreign fighters, they all looked Somali.

I watched the video and there seems to be no foreign fighters, they all looked Somali.

Xiin, you seem to be deluding yourself. Though I respect your stance and honesty. These courts are largely based around strong faction that still cause many problems in southern Somalia. I hope they can rise to the occasion and make Mogadishu a peaceful and functioning city. However no one can deny that a number of warlords are still strong and central to these courts, how do you work out these opposing interests? Inda Cade wants justice and and Islamic state is like saying Hiiraale will bring a fair and balanced rule to Kismayu. The courts have made some silly moves, the claim they run Somalia, their saber rattling against the TFG and their promotion of Inda Cade and Xasan Dahir. These were all tacticle errors, my opposition is not about clan, I just do not think we need a new war that will bring in foreign powers which will further damage the nation.

^^^ Its all over the news mate, It is nothing to do with me. There is claim that there is a tape highlighting arab fighters attcaking Ciselay Air strip. Its a propoganda video by the west... source Cajalad Filim ah oo laga soo duubay Dagaalada Muqdisho oo ay ku jiraan Maleeshiyooyin Carab ah Last Updated::2006-07-06 16:45:05 Muqdisho:- Wakaalada Wararka ee AP ayaa shaacisay Cajalad laga soo duubay dagaaladii Muqdisho oo ay ka muuqdaan Dagaalyahano Carab ah. Cajaladan oo si hoose loogu keenay Xafiiska Nairobi ee Wakaalada Wararka ee Caalamiga ah ee AP ayaa ah cajalad video ah oo soconeyso muddo saacad ah. Cajaladan ayey ka muuqdaan Dagaalyahano carab oo isu diyaarineysa dagaaladii ka dhacay Waqooyiga magaalada Muqdisho. Cajaladan oo ku bilaabaneysa Quraanka iyo Halkudhigyo isugu jira Axadiis iyo Jihaad iyo Calanka Madow oo ay ku yaalo Towxiidka ama Ashahaadada ayaa waxaa kadib la is tusayaa dagaalyahano u badan Carab oo isu diyaarinaya dagaalkii waqooyiga Muqdisho. Dagaalyahanadan oo qaarkood tukanaya kuwa kalena ay xiranayaan Tabeebayaal ay ku qoron yihiin Towxiidka ayaa kadib raacaya gadiidka dagaalka ee loo yaqaan Tiknikada. Cajaladan ayaa waxaa ka muuqda Hogaamiye af carabi ugu khudbeenaya dagaal yahanadan iyo waliba Yusuf Siyaad Indhacade oo asagu ka muuqda goobta diyaar garowga ka socdo. Waxaa sidoo kale cajaladan ku jira heeso carabi ah iyo waliba halku dhigyo lagu muujinayo Waxa loogu yeeray Jihaadka ka bilowday Soomaaliya. Cajaladan ayaa looga codsanayaa dagaalyahanada Carbeed in ay kasoo qeyb galaan dagaalka Jihaadka ah oo ay Maxkamadaha Islaamiga ka bilaabeen dalka Soomaaliya. Cajaladan ayaa kusoo dhamaaneysa Qabsashadii Airporka Cisaley ee waqooyiga magaalada Muqdisho, Airporkaasi oo ah kan ay hada isticmaalaan Maxkamadaha Islaamiga. Cajaladan ayaa ah tii ugu horeysay oo nooceeda ah oo soo shaac baxda, ayadoo ay Maxkamadaha Islaamiga horey u beeniyeen in ay wax taageero ah ka heleen dagaalyahano Carabeed, isla markaana iska fogeeyey in ay dhaqaale ka helaan dalal Carbeed. Warbixin dhawaan ay soo saartay Xoghayaha Maraykanka u qaabilsan Arrimaha Afrika Mrs.Jedi Fresser ayaa lagu sheegay in Maxkamadaha ay taageero dhaqaale iyo hub ka helaan dalalka Sucuudiga, Yemen iyo Eritereya. Balse cajaladan lasoo gaarsiiyey Wakaalada wararka ee AP ayaa ah mid si toos ah loogu diray dagaalyahanada Muslimiinta ee Caalamka oo loogu baaqay in ay ka qeyb qaataan dagaalada ka socda dalka Soomaaliya. Qoraalkii Wakaalada AP (Halkan ka akhriso) Cabdullahi Haji HorseedNet.com

^^^ Its all over the news mate, It is nothing to do with me. There is claim that there is a tape highlighting arab fighters attcaking Ciselay Air strip. Its a propoganda video by the west... source Cajalad Filim ah oo laga soo duubay Dagaalada Muqdisho oo ay ku jiraan Maleeshiyooyin Carab ah Last Updated::2006-07-06 16:45:05 Muqdisho:- Wakaalada Wararka ee AP ayaa shaacisay Cajalad laga soo duubay dagaaladii Muqdisho oo ay ka muuqdaan Dagaalyahano Carab ah. Cajaladan oo si hoose loogu keenay Xafiiska Nairobi ee Wakaalada Wararka ee Caalamiga ah ee AP ayaa ah cajalad video ah oo soconeyso muddo saacad ah. Cajaladan ayey ka muuqdaan Dagaalyahano carab oo isu diyaarineysa dagaaladii ka dhacay Waqooyiga magaalada Muqdisho. Cajaladan oo ku bilaabaneysa Quraanka iyo Halkudhigyo isugu jira Axadiis iyo Jihaad iyo Calanka Madow oo ay ku yaalo Towxiidka ama Ashahaadada ayaa waxaa kadib la is tusayaa dagaalyahano u badan Carab oo isu diyaarinaya dagaalkii waqooyiga Muqdisho. Dagaalyahanadan oo qaarkood tukanaya kuwa kalena ay xiranayaan Tabeebayaal ay ku qoron yihiin Towxiidka ayaa kadib raacaya gadiidka dagaalka ee loo yaqaan Tiknikada. Cajaladan ayaa waxaa ka muuqda Hogaamiye af carabi ugu khudbeenaya dagaal yahanadan iyo waliba Yusuf Siyaad Indhacade oo asagu ka muuqda goobta diyaar garowga ka socdo. Waxaa sidoo kale cajaladan ku jira heeso carabi ah iyo waliba halku dhigyo lagu muujinayo Waxa loogu yeeray Jihaadka ka bilowday Soomaaliya. Cajaladan ayaa looga codsanayaa dagaalyahanada Carbeed in ay kasoo qeyb galaan dagaalka Jihaadka ah oo ay Maxkamadaha Islaamiga ka bilaabeen dalka Soomaaliya. Cajaladan ayaa kusoo dhamaaneysa Qabsashadii Airporka Cisaley ee waqooyiga magaalada Muqdisho, Airporkaasi oo ah kan ay hada isticmaalaan Maxkamadaha Islaamiga. Cajaladan ayaa ah tii ugu horeysay oo nooceeda ah oo soo shaac baxda, ayadoo ay Maxkamadaha Islaamiga horey u beeniyeen in ay wax taageero ah ka heleen dagaalyahano Carabeed, isla markaana iska fogeeyey in ay dhaqaale ka helaan dalal Carbeed. Warbixin dhawaan ay soo saartay Xoghayaha Maraykanka u qaabilsan Arrimaha Afrika Mrs.Jedi Fresser ayaa lagu sheegay in Maxkamadaha ay taageero dhaqaale iyo hub ka helaan dalalka Sucuudiga, Yemen iyo Eritereya. Balse cajaladan lasoo gaarsiiyey Wakaalada wararka ee AP ayaa ah mid si toos ah loogu diray dagaalyahanada Muslimiinta ee Caalamka oo loogu baaqay in ay ka qeyb qaataan dagaalada ka socda dalka Soomaaliya. Qoraalkii Wakaalada AP (Halkan ka akhriso) Cabdullahi Haji HorseedNet.com

^^^ Its all over the news mate, It is nothing to do with me. There is claim that there is a tape highlighting arab fighters attcaking Ciselay Air strip. Its a propoganda video by the west... source Cajalad Filim ah oo laga soo duubay Dagaalada Muqdisho oo ay ku jiraan Maleeshiyooyin Carab ah Last Updated::2006-07-06 16:45:05 Muqdisho:- Wakaalada Wararka ee AP ayaa shaacisay Cajalad laga soo duubay dagaaladii Muqdisho oo ay ka muuqdaan Dagaalyahano Carab ah. Cajaladan oo si hoose loogu keenay Xafiiska Nairobi ee Wakaalada Wararka ee Caalamiga ah ee AP ayaa ah cajalad video ah oo soconeyso muddo saacad ah. Cajaladan ayey ka muuqdaan Dagaalyahano carab oo isu diyaarineysa dagaaladii ka dhacay Waqooyiga magaalada Muqdisho. Cajaladan oo ku bilaabaneysa Quraanka iyo Halkudhigyo isugu jira Axadiis iyo Jihaad iyo Calanka Madow oo ay ku yaalo Towxiidka ama Ashahaadada ayaa waxaa kadib la is tusayaa dagaalyahano u badan Carab oo isu diyaarinaya dagaalkii waqooyiga Muqdisho. Dagaalyahanadan oo qaarkood tukanaya kuwa kalena ay xiranayaan Tabeebayaal ay ku qoron yihiin Towxiidka ayaa kadib raacaya gadiidka dagaalka ee loo yaqaan Tiknikada. Cajaladan ayaa waxaa ka muuqda Hogaamiye af carabi ugu khudbeenaya dagaal yahanadan iyo waliba Yusuf Siyaad Indhacade oo asagu ka muuqda goobta diyaar garowga ka socdo. Waxaa sidoo kale cajaladan ku jira heeso carabi ah iyo waliba halku dhigyo lagu muujinayo Waxa loogu yeeray Jihaadka ka bilowday Soomaaliya. Cajaladan ayaa looga codsanayaa dagaalyahanada Carbeed in ay kasoo qeyb galaan dagaalka Jihaadka ah oo ay Maxkamadaha Islaamiga ka bilaabeen dalka Soomaaliya. Cajaladan ayaa kusoo dhamaaneysa Qabsashadii Airporka Cisaley ee waqooyiga magaalada Muqdisho, Airporkaasi oo ah kan ay hada isticmaalaan Maxkamadaha Islaamiga. Cajaladan ayaa ah tii ugu horeysay oo nooceeda ah oo soo shaac baxda, ayadoo ay Maxkamadaha Islaamiga horey u beeniyeen in ay wax taageero ah ka heleen dagaalyahano Carabeed, isla markaana iska fogeeyey in ay dhaqaale ka helaan dalal Carbeed. Warbixin dhawaan ay soo saartay Xoghayaha Maraykanka u qaabilsan Arrimaha Afrika Mrs.Jedi Fresser ayaa lagu sheegay in Maxkamadaha ay taageero dhaqaale iyo hub ka helaan dalalka Sucuudiga, Yemen iyo Eritereya. Balse cajaladan lasoo gaarsiiyey Wakaalada wararka ee AP ayaa ah mid si toos ah loogu diray dagaalyahanada Muslimiinta ee Caalamka oo loogu baaqay in ay ka qeyb qaataan dagaalada ka socda dalka Soomaaliya. Qoraalkii Wakaalada AP (Halkan ka akhriso) Cabdullahi Haji HorseedNet.com

threaten who? pardon me but Puntland is past treats..As for MD, was he the one who insulted the whole of the TFG and Puntland, well I guess he is not welcome in them parts...

^^Saxib, I thank you for your fankness, your position is noted. I totally disagree with you on this and belive that Puntland as it is serves the interest of all the clans who live there. If there is a perception that the people of SOOL are being marginalised then that is the fault of the administration, I also agree that it is corrupt. It is important to note that if the people of SOOL want nothing to do with Garowe then that is their choice... Lets not waste time on this issue, in my humble opinion SOOL, SANAG, CAYN can go their own way..

^^^Saxib, Bad policing is the fault of the whole administration, the VP, and minister of Interior are from SOOL, so why then blam this other Puntland, I also know that there is a case for this in Bossaso, Galkacyu and other Puntland towns which also suffer from bad policing... I want to know why you try to seperate the admin and the state into them and us? The SOOL, SANAG CAYN clans have been integral members of the Puntland admin from day one. Your comments were that Puntland is not interested in SOOL, and that it and SOMALILAND are equal in their agenda? Again I kindly ask for clarification, do you have any substantial evidance, i.e in terms of spending and policing policy its negligance of this area in comparison to others...

Muqdisho: Cajal Vedio ah oo lagu arkay in dagaal yahanno Carbeed ay ka qayb galeen dagaalladii Muqdisho. Thursday, July 06, 2006 Muqdisho(AllPuntland)- Cajal Vedio ah oo ay soo bandhigeen xubno ka tirsan maxkamadaha Islaamiga Muqdisho ayaa lagu arkay dagaal yahanno Carbeed oo safafka dagaalka kujira. Cajalkan oo markii ugu horaysay ay heshay wakaaladda wararka ee AP ayaa waxaa si cad uga dhex muuqanaya dad aan Soomaali ahayn oo dagaalka kujira. In dagaalkii Muqdisho ay ka qayb galeen dagaal yahanno ajnanbi ah waxay ahayd miday si kulul u diidanaayeen madaxda maxkamadaha Islaamiga Muqdisho gaar ahaan guddoonka sare ee maxkamadaha. Cajalka ay soo bandhigtay wakaaladda wararka ee AP oo soconayay muddo hal saac ah ayaa lagu arkay arin ay ka walaacsanaayeen reer galbeedka oo ahayd in maxkamada Muqdisho ay dagaalka la galeen kooxo carbeed oo ka kala yimid Khaliijka. Cajalkan la daawaday ayaa la sheegay inuu ahaa mid bar bar socday mid lagu soo bandhigayay guulihii ay maxkamaduhu soo hoyiyeen , hase ahaatee middani waxay tusaysaa dad Carbeed oo daaalka safafka hore ku jira. Cajalkan waxuu kaloo si cad u muujinayaa dagaal yahanno Carbeed oo samaynaya Kaartada dagaalkii lagu qaaday waqooyiga Muqdisho, waxaana cajalka lagu dhagaystay Heeso Diini ah oo Carbeed iyo gabayo lagu dhiiri galinayo in dagaalka barakaysan ee JIHAADKA laga qayb galo. Warkan oo ay qortay AP ayaa wuxuu sheegayaa in cajalku ku bilowday calan madow iyo aayado qur'aan ah , waxaana warbixintu sheegtay in tallaabooyinkan wax loo duubay ay yihiin sida ay wax u duubaan dagaalyahannada reer Ciraaq iyo Afgaanistaan. Dawladda Maraykanka ayaa dhawaan war ay soo saartay waxay ku sheegtay in Soomaaliya ay gacanta ugu jirto kooxo mayal adag. Source: AP CCC Farayaamo AllPuntland

Muqdisho: Cajal Vedio ah oo lagu arkay in dagaal yahanno Carbeed ay ka qayb galeen dagaalladii Muqdisho. Thursday, July 06, 2006 Muqdisho(AllPuntland)- Cajal Vedio ah oo ay soo bandhigeen xubno ka tirsan maxkamadaha Islaamiga Muqdisho ayaa lagu arkay dagaal yahanno Carbeed oo safafka dagaalka kujira. Cajalkan oo markii ugu horaysay ay heshay wakaaladda wararka ee AP ayaa waxaa si cad uga dhex muuqanaya dad aan Soomaali ahayn oo dagaalka kujira. In dagaalkii Muqdisho ay ka qayb galeen dagaal yahanno ajnanbi ah waxay ahayd miday si kulul u diidanaayeen madaxda maxkamadaha Islaamiga Muqdisho gaar ahaan guddoonka sare ee maxkamadaha. Cajalka ay soo bandhigtay wakaaladda wararka ee AP oo soconayay muddo hal saac ah ayaa lagu arkay arin ay ka walaacsanaayeen reer galbeedka oo ahayd in maxkamada Muqdisho ay dagaalka la galeen kooxo carbeed oo ka kala yimid Khaliijka. Cajalkan la daawaday ayaa la sheegay inuu ahaa mid bar bar socday mid lagu soo bandhigayay guulihii ay maxkamaduhu soo hoyiyeen , hase ahaatee middani waxay tusaysaa dad Carbeed oo daaalka safafka hore ku jira. Cajalkan waxuu kaloo si cad u muujinayaa dagaal yahanno Carbeed oo samaynaya Kaartada dagaalkii lagu qaaday waqooyiga Muqdisho, waxaana cajalka lagu dhagaystay Heeso Diini ah oo Carbeed iyo gabayo lagu dhiiri galinayo in dagaalka barakaysan ee JIHAADKA laga qayb galo. Warkan oo ay qortay AP ayaa wuxuu sheegayaa in cajalku ku bilowday calan madow iyo aayado qur'aan ah , waxaana warbixintu sheegtay in tallaabooyinkan wax loo duubay ay yihiin sida ay wax u duubaan dagaalyahannada reer Ciraaq iyo Afgaanistaan. Dawladda Maraykanka ayaa dhawaan war ay soo saartay waxay ku sheegtay in Soomaaliya ay gacanta ugu jirto kooxo mayal adag. Source: AP CCC Farayaamo AllPuntland

Muqdisho: Cajal Vedio ah oo lagu arkay in dagaal yahanno Carbeed ay ka qayb galeen dagaalladii Muqdisho. Thursday, July 06, 2006 Muqdisho(AllPuntland)- Cajal Vedio ah oo ay soo bandhigeen xubno ka tirsan maxkamadaha Islaamiga Muqdisho ayaa lagu arkay dagaal yahanno Carbeed oo safafka dagaalka kujira. Cajalkan oo markii ugu horaysay ay heshay wakaaladda wararka ee AP ayaa waxaa si cad uga dhex muuqanaya dad aan Soomaali ahayn oo dagaalka kujira. In dagaalkii Muqdisho ay ka qayb galeen dagaal yahanno ajnanbi ah waxay ahayd miday si kulul u diidanaayeen madaxda maxkamadaha Islaamiga Muqdisho gaar ahaan guddoonka sare ee maxkamadaha. Cajalka ay soo bandhigtay wakaaladda wararka ee AP oo soconayay muddo hal saac ah ayaa lagu arkay arin ay ka walaacsanaayeen reer galbeedka oo ahayd in maxkamada Muqdisho ay dagaalka la galeen kooxo carbeed oo ka kala yimid Khaliijka. Cajalkan la daawaday ayaa la sheegay inuu ahaa mid bar bar socday mid lagu soo bandhigayay guulihii ay maxkamaduhu soo hoyiyeen , hase ahaatee middani waxay tusaysaa dad Carbeed oo daaalka safafka hore ku jira. Cajalkan waxuu kaloo si cad u muujinayaa dagaal yahanno Carbeed oo samaynaya Kaartada dagaalkii lagu qaaday waqooyiga Muqdisho, waxaana cajalka lagu dhagaystay Heeso Diini ah oo Carbeed iyo gabayo lagu dhiiri galinayo in dagaalka barakaysan ee JIHAADKA laga qayb galo. Warkan oo ay qortay AP ayaa wuxuu sheegayaa in cajalku ku bilowday calan madow iyo aayado qur'aan ah , waxaana warbixintu sheegtay in tallaabooyinkan wax loo duubay ay yihiin sida ay wax u duubaan dagaalyahannada reer Ciraaq iyo Afgaanistaan. Dawladda Maraykanka ayaa dhawaan war ay soo saartay waxay ku sheegtay in Soomaaliya ay gacanta ugu jirto kooxo mayal adag. Source: AP CCC Farayaamo AllPuntland

^^^ Saxib, If the people of SOOL, SANAG and CAYN want to go it alone, no problem, if they want to stay with Puntland no problem, if they want to go with Somaliland no problem. Every clan has a right to its own territory, like anyone else. For now they are part of Puntland, as of choice. Your remarks that Puntland causes mayhem is regretable one, If you could clarify it for me it would be great... I for one belive these clans will do well in any situation as long as they want it and stick by it...

Video Shows Arabs Fighting in Somalia By CHRIS TOMLINSON , 07.05.2006, 05:57 PM source A recruiting video issued by members of the fundamentalist Islamic movement in Somalia shows Arab radicals fighting alongside the local extremists in Mogadishu, and invites Muslims from around the world to join in their "holy jihad." The video, obtained by The Associated Press, provides the first hard evidence that non-Somalis have joined with Islamic extremists in Somalia. The Supreme Islamic Courts Council, which defeated U.S.-backed warlords in Mogadishu last month and is now the country's most powerful force, has repeatedly denied links to extremists such as al-Qaida. But the one-hour video appears to confirm U.S. fears - and al-Qaida's boasts. President Bush expressed concern last month that Somalia could become an al-Qaida haven like Afghanistan was in the late 1990s. And recordings attributed to Osama bin Laden portray Somalia as a battleground in his war on the United States. The videotape, produced to both recruit new fighters and raise funds, glorifies the Islamic victory over U.S.-backed, secular warlords in Somalia. U.S. officials cooperated with the warlords, hoping to capture three al-Qaida leaders allegedly protected by the Islamic council, especially three men accused in the deadly 1998 bombings at the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Those singled out by the United States include the courts council leader, Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, branded a terrorist by the Americans. Aweys, speaking on Somali radio over the weekend, said his movement had no contacts with bin Laden or al-Qaida. He also rejected accusations that foreign fighters were in Somalia. But the video, shot on a handheld recorder, shows Arab fighters preparing for a major battle on the northern outskirts of Mogadishu. Arabic anthems and poetry play on the audio track urging Muslims to join the global holy war to advance Islam and defeat its enemies. The video starts with a black flag featuring a Quranic verse and a saber fluttering in the wind. Such black banners have only recently appeared in Somalia but have been used by Islamic extremists in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon for years. After a few minutes of battle footage, the tape documents the Arab fighters' predawn preparations for battle, including prayers, a commander's speech to his troops and the preparation of weapons. The Arab fighters then climb onto two pickup trucks mounted with heavy machine guns, which the Somalis call "technicals." As the sun rises, the location of the Arab camp north of Mogadishu becomes clear and six more trucks loaded with Somali fighters come into view. A senior member of the Islamic group, Yusuf Indohaadde, is filmed walking among the men before the pickups roll out of an old warehouse compound. The rest of the footage follows one group of Somali militiamen as they battle troops loyal to warlords who controlled Mogadishu for 15 years and had ties to the United States. The tape ends with the capture of Essaleh, a small town with strategic air and sea ports three miles north of Mogadishu. Most of the tape's audio is filled with Arabic prose and songs urging Muslims to join the holy war against the West, or recordings of speeches given by Somali Islamic extremists. One of the voices speaking Somali is clearly not a native speaker. There are also subtitles in Arabic and Somali calling the battle part of "the sacred, holy jihad in Somalia" and "the holy war that began in Somalia." The tape is similar to other videos produced by Islamic extremists in Iraq and other countries where al-Qaida is active. Evan Kohlmann, an international terrorism consultant who closely follows statements and videos from militant Islamic groups, said the video has traits similar to those produced by Islamic militants elsewhere in the world. If it is confirmed that Arab militants fought alongside likeminded Somalis, it likely would affect how the international community treats the Islamic group. "I think it is tremendously significant and may be the determining piece of evidence that will decide U.S. policy on Somalia," he said. "Sounds a lot like al-Qaida when the Taliban were just getting started in Afghanistan." Since the defeat of the warlords, the United States has set up the International Somali Contact Group to coordinate policy toward Somalia with other interested nations. U.S. officials have said that counterrorism is the primary focus of policy toward Somalia.

Video Shows Arabs Fighting in Somalia By CHRIS TOMLINSON , 07.05.2006, 05:57 PM source A recruiting video issued by members of the fundamentalist Islamic movement in Somalia shows Arab radicals fighting alongside the local extremists in Mogadishu, and invites Muslims from around the world to join in their "holy jihad." The video, obtained by The Associated Press, provides the first hard evidence that non-Somalis have joined with Islamic extremists in Somalia. The Supreme Islamic Courts Council, which defeated U.S.-backed warlords in Mogadishu last month and is now the country's most powerful force, has repeatedly denied links to extremists such as al-Qaida. But the one-hour video appears to confirm U.S. fears - and al-Qaida's boasts. President Bush expressed concern last month that Somalia could become an al-Qaida haven like Afghanistan was in the late 1990s. And recordings attributed to Osama bin Laden portray Somalia as a battleground in his war on the United States. The videotape, produced to both recruit new fighters and raise funds, glorifies the Islamic victory over U.S.-backed, secular warlords in Somalia. U.S. officials cooperated with the warlords, hoping to capture three al-Qaida leaders allegedly protected by the Islamic council, especially three men accused in the deadly 1998 bombings at the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Those singled out by the United States include the courts council leader, Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, branded a terrorist by the Americans. Aweys, speaking on Somali radio over the weekend, said his movement had no contacts with bin Laden or al-Qaida. He also rejected accusations that foreign fighters were in Somalia. But the video, shot on a handheld recorder, shows Arab fighters preparing for a major battle on the northern outskirts of Mogadishu. Arabic anthems and poetry play on the audio track urging Muslims to join the global holy war to advance Islam and defeat its enemies. The video starts with a black flag featuring a Quranic verse and a saber fluttering in the wind. Such black banners have only recently appeared in Somalia but have been used by Islamic extremists in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon for years. After a few minutes of battle footage, the tape documents the Arab fighters' predawn preparations for battle, including prayers, a commander's speech to his troops and the preparation of weapons. The Arab fighters then climb onto two pickup trucks mounted with heavy machine guns, which the Somalis call "technicals." As the sun rises, the location of the Arab camp north of Mogadishu becomes clear and six more trucks loaded with Somali fighters come into view. A senior member of the Islamic group, Yusuf Indohaadde, is filmed walking among the men before the pickups roll out of an old warehouse compound. The rest of the footage follows one group of Somali militiamen as they battle troops loyal to warlords who controlled Mogadishu for 15 years and had ties to the United States. The tape ends with the capture of Essaleh, a small town with strategic air and sea ports three miles north of Mogadishu. Most of the tape's audio is filled with Arabic prose and songs urging Muslims to join the holy war against the West, or recordings of speeches given by Somali Islamic extremists. One of the voices speaking Somali is clearly not a native speaker. There are also subtitles in Arabic and Somali calling the battle part of "the sacred, holy jihad in Somalia" and "the holy war that began in Somalia." The tape is similar to other videos produced by Islamic extremists in Iraq and other countries where al-Qaida is active. Evan Kohlmann, an international terrorism consultant who closely follows statements and videos from militant Islamic groups, said the video has traits similar to those produced by Islamic militants elsewhere in the world. If it is confirmed that Arab militants fought alongside likeminded Somalis, it likely would affect how the international community treats the Islamic group. "I think it is tremendously significant and may be the determining piece of evidence that will decide U.S. policy on Somalia," he said. "Sounds a lot like al-Qaida when the Taliban were just getting started in Afghanistan." Since the defeat of the warlords, the United States has set up the International Somali Contact Group to coordinate policy toward Somalia with other interested nations. U.S. officials have said that counterrorism is the primary focus of policy toward Somalia.