Shir ka dhacay magaalada Muqdisho oo lagu taageeray dowladda KMG ah iyo heshiiskii ay dhowaan Nairobi ku gaareen siyaasiyiin ka tirsan beesha Mudullood Jimco, November 19, 2004 (HOL) Dhowaan waxaa magaalada Nairobi heshiis ku gaaray siyaasiyiin iyo waxgarad ka tirsan beesha Mudullood, kuwaasi oo qaarkood aan horay isu salaami jirin, waxaana gogoshii heshiiskaas dhigay ra'iisul wasaaraha xukuumadda FKMG ah Prof. Cali Maxamed Geeddi oo kulankaasi ka sheegay in dib u heshiisiinta hoos laga soo bilaabo, iyadoo uu caddeeyay Ra'iisul Wasaaruhu in iyadoo aanu qofka xalin dhibaatada gurigiisa ka jirta aanu wax ka qabin karin dhibaato guri kale, taasi oo uu ula jeediyay in uu isagu shakhsi ahaan wax ka qabanayo dhibaatada kala gaartay beeshiisa, si uu kadib ugu sii gudbo xalinta dhibaatooyinka beelaha kale. Haddaba, waxaa Xarunta Golaha Aqoonyahanka Soomaaliyeed (SIP) lagu qabtay shir ay ka soo qeybgaleen aqoonyahanno, waxgarad, siyaasiyiin, dhalinyaro iyo haween, kaasi oo lagu ayidayay amaba lagu taageerayay heshiiskii ay magaalada Nairobi ku gaareen siyaasiinta iyo waxgaradka beesha Mudullood, iyadoo uu kulankanna soo qaban qaabiyay Caaqil Maxamuud Cali Jimcaale(Koogaar). Muhiimada kulankaas ayaa lagu sheegay in uu ka koobnaa ,sidii dib loogu mideyn lahaa bahweynta beesha Mudulood, isla markaasna loo taageeri lahaa, loona soo dhaweyn lahaa Dowladda Federaalka KMG ah ee Soomaaliya. Kulankaas oo ay ka soo qeyb galeen 257 qofood oo ka kala socday qeybaha kala duwan ee bulshada sida: Dhaqanka, Siyaasiinta, Culumaa'udiinka, Aqoonyahanka, Haweenka iyo Dhalinyarada beeshaas, ayaa ugu dambeyntii la isku waafaqay qodobada soo socda:- 1- In ay muqadas tahay midnimada bahweynta beesha Mudulood 2- In loo howl galo sidii loo dhameystiri lahaa wixii khilaafaad ah ee ka jira beesha dhexdeeda. 3- In la dhiso guddi u howlgala isku xirka beesha. 4- In taageero buuxda la siiyo dhismaha dowladda Federaaliga KMG ah. 5- In la doono midnimada beelaha kale ee la bah wadaagta la ah beesha Mudullood, si ay suurtagal ku noqoto in ay dowladda caasimadda uga howlgasho. Salaad Iidow Xasan (Xiis) Hiiraan Online sxiis@hiiraan.com Mogadishu, Somalia

Nationalist, brother keep up the struggle. However reer Mudug are not bad people nor any other reers so move of the topic. people are trying to corner you son. Juma, you a joke brother all your post are C/Y is this and that and blah, blah, you must be suffering bad..I told you before lay of the President he won fair and square. Rahima, my sister quite a disapointment of late. Horn how you doin.....

Somali Leader Home Raid: 3 Held - Friday, November 19, 2004 at 11:50 The Nation (Nairobi) November 19, 2004 Stephen Muiruri Nairobi - Three men have been arrested over the gun battle at the Nairobi home of Somalia's newly elected president. Police said yesterday they were also following the lead that the attack was masterminded by Islamic fundamentalists opposed to President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and his government. The three were picked up a few hours after two gunmen sneaked into the president's home and engaged GSU officers in a fierce shootout. They are being held at an undisclosed city police station for security reasons. A security source told the Nation: "Intelligence information received by our officers shows that the attack might have been plotted by Islamic fundamentalists opposed to the return of the rule of law in the war-torn Somalia." The police, he added, were convinced that the gunmen who went to Mr Abdullahi's home at Kitisuru, were part of a hit squad hired to eliminate him. "Police are convinced that the gunmen were assassins because if they were ordinary robbers, they would have taken off when they were confronted by the the GSU men. But they bravely engaged the officers in a fierce gun battle and only fled when they were overpowered." Mr Abdullahi, who is putting together a government while preparing to move back to Mogadishu, was unharmed, but badly shaken in the Tuesday night attack. The president was in bed as the gunmen dug a hole through the hedge at the back of the house and raced across the compound towards the mansion. They were intercepted by GSU officers. They exchanged fire with the guards for more than five minutes before fleeing into the nearby Karura forest. Security at the home was tight yesterday as armed GSU personnel stood guard at the gate and patrolled the compound. Only visitors with appointments were allowed in, but after a thorough security check. The Somali president's family moved into the home a week ago and it was his first night in the mansion, having just returned from a foreign trip. He arrived back at 4.30pm on Tuesday accompanied by prime minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi, who left soon afterwards. A police source said: "The two men were brandishing AK-47 rifles. They opened fire when they were ordered to identify themselves. The guards then engaged them in a gun battle for about five minutes. "On Wednesday, Somalia's head of presidential Press service, Mr Yusuf Mohammed Ismail, said President Abdullahi was happy with the security given to him and his family in Nairobi. The president, a former army colonel, has been provided with state security since he was elected. Soure: The Nation

Midowga Yurub Oo Sheegay Inuu Barlamaanka Soomaaliya Gacan Siin Doono Midawga Yurub ayaa u ballan qaaday baarlamaanka Soomaaliya in dhaqaale iyo mashaariic soconaysa mudo labada sano ah ku taageeri doono. Warkan ayuu Midowgu kasoo saaray xaruntiisa, iyadoo ay horay u jireen qorshooyin ay damacsanaayeen dawladaha reer Yurub in ay ku gacan siiyaan dawladda cusub ee Soomaliya. Midowga Yurub ayaa isagu horay u bixin jirey dhaqaalaha ugu badan ee ku baxay shirkii Soomaalida ilaa iyo xiligii uu ka billawday dalka Keenya muddo haatan laga joogo laba sanadood . Dawladaha Talyaaniga, Holand, Norway, Ingiriiska ayaa horay u sheegay in ay taageero siiinayaan dawladda cusub, taasoo yididiilo ku beertay dad badan. Qorshahan Midawga Yurub ay wadaan oo lagu taageerayo dawladda cusub ayaa waxa qayb ka ah tababar haatanba u socda baarlamaanka km ah oo ka billawday Hotel Hilton ee Nairobi kaasoo lagu barayo xubnaha baarlamaanka shuruucda iyo qawaaniinta go'aan qaadashada iyo sida ay u koontorooli karaan barnaamijyada xukuumadda .

Horn brother: Yusuf Ali Kenadeed was the father of both Ali Yusuf and Osman Yusuf the inventor of the script the Osmaniya. Yusuf Ali founded the Hobyo sultanate, while his son Osman founded the Somali script. I dont know much about the second Suldan Ali Yusuf. For me the two Kenadeed's mentioned above, the Sayid of the dervishes and the king of Bragaal where the heavy weights of their time. Before them there where the Ajuraan dynasty of southern Somalia and of course the greatest Somali who ever lived Ahmed Ibrahim Al Ghazi or Ahmed Gran the left handed.

Rahima you what ? forget Jamam, Jilib, Barava or Kismayu. For me its all about the red plains of Mudug, Galkacyu, Garacad and how can I forget reer Abti up in Hobyo As for Osmaniya, well it was one of the greatest achievements in Somali history. It should be taught at the academic level to those who want to learn it and there might be a few who are interested I know I am. And Juma I totally agree with you we should have Suldan Kenadeed and his son Osman Yusuf Kenadeed on the new Somali currency they were giants in the annalls of Somalia

Mogadishu 1934

Mogadishu 1981

Mogadishu 1945. Boondhere is the outermost suburb,

The old Parliament building. Used until 1969. Ministry of Health is located imediately behind the Parliament building. From p21 "Mogadishu from the Air"

"The Capital City of Somalia: Mogadishu from the Air"1986

View south from the Al Aruba hotel Central Mogadishu. Municipality of Mogadishu building on the immediate left? Archway constructed in 1934 in order to honor Italian King Victor Emmanuel's visit to Somalia

54 US Soldiers Killed This Week As many as 33 killed in Fallujah alone by Michael Ewens In a flurry of weekend press releases, the Department of Defense named another 23 U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq. These deaths bring the total killed since Nov. 8 to 54. Such facts contradict the "official numbers" released to the unquestioning media. The difference in the totals seems to stem from the ambiguity in press releases for U.S. Marines. These concise releases never state specifics. Instead, the deaths are merely categorized as due to "enemy action" in "Al Anbar Province." Given the recent assault of Fallujah – located in Al Anbar– it is reasonable to pool these numbers with the total. Also, many of these Marines are part of the 1st or 3rd Marine Division, known to be in the city. The 50-plus killed this week is indicative of a growing insurgency likely to spread to previously peaceful cities. The other twenty deaths occurred in Baghdad, Mosul, Abu Gharb, and Babli province (just south of Baghdad). This indicates that the violence is only spreading. Although the military concedes that "winning" in Fallujah won't quell the insurgency, they continue to pursue policies that suppose there exists a static number of Iraqis willing to fight the occupation: if they could only kill them all, democracy and calm would flourish. Of course, it is more likely that these incursions will create more insurgency. We have compiled the following list of the estimated 33 U.S. soldiers and Marines killed in Fallujah:

New Somalia PM upbeat about his nation’s change of fortunes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Alberto Leny Prof Ali Mohamed: Prime Minister, Federal Republic of Somalia. Somalia’s new Prime Minister believes his nation stands at a historic turning point and there is unprecedented momentum in the fractured country for change. In his first interview since his appointment last week, Professor Ali Mohamed Ghedi told The Standard the new Federal Republic of Somalia would be guided by three principles – reconciliation, reconstruction and recovery. "If you take responsibility, you must address the challenges," the articulate premier said, as he asserted that the new government-in-exile enjoyed massive support amongst the people of Somalia. The task of reconstruction is enormous after a decade and a half of civil war that has devastated the country and left millions of Somalis dead, maimed or displaced. The pulse of the Somali nation is beginning to beat again. There is optimism in the air as the government sets up structures and institutions in readiness for its return. The veterinary professor is seizing the opportunity with a professionalism gleaned during a career as a veterinarian of repute. Described by close associates as "a technocrat with no affiliation to the warring factions" 53-year-old Ghedi has been portrayed as a consensus-builder and a hard-working man of integrity, blessed with excellent leadership skills. He graduated from the Somali National University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and specialised as a veterinary surgeon at the University of Pisa in Italy. "The people of Somalia are still celebrating the birth of a new baby, the rebirth of Somalia and they are eagerly waiting to welcome their new government home with open arms so that it can provide them with the expected social and economic services," said Ghedi. There was no time to be lost in transferring Somalia’s seat of power from Nairobi, which currently enjoys the unique distinction of hosting two governments, to the capital Mogadishu, Ghedi made clear. "I see us going to Somalia early next year, most likely January or February. As soon as I name the cabinet we will be sending missions to Somalia to assess the situation on the ground and to create the necessary awareness about our political, social and economic goals to the people." The new PM is expected to appoint his cabinet, under the Somalia charter, by December 3. Ghedi is very conscious of the volatility of the situation back home, where thousands of armed militias owing loyalties to "former" warlords still roam towns and countryside. Their disarmament and the deployment of international peacekeepers remain crucial to the restoration of law and order so that the new government can settle down to fulfill its obligations to the people of Somalia. "The need for peacekeepers from the region is of paramount importance and we hope they will be deployed in the next few weeks. There is great need for an effective peacekeeping force. We require a few thousands to protect our government while we are integrating our institutions and setting up the structures," Ghedi said. Recently-inaugurated President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed has asked for 20,000 and the United Nations and African Union are under great pressure to mobilise the force immediately. As for the armed militias controlled by what he insists are "former warlords and faction leaders," Ghedi said they would disarm provided the government offered job opportunities and integration into the national police and army, with vocational training skills after demobilisation. He maintains there are no more warlords or faction leaders, because they were accommodated during peace talks in Kenya, becoming MPs in the Republic of Somalia. By following the peace process through to its conclusion, they accepted peace and are now part of the new Somali government. " Unfortunately there are a few opportunists trying to sabotage this noble endeavour," Ghedi observed in response to the recent assassination of General Mohamed Abdi and last month’s clashes between Somaliland and Puntland, that left at least 100 people dead. Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia following the overthrow of Siad Barre in 1991 and has remained relatively peaceful since. Puntland leaders declared the region autonomous in 1998, with the aim of reconstituting Somalia as a federal republic. "The assassination of ex-Army General Abdi was unexpected. He was loyal to the people of Somalia and the new government. He was advocating disarmament and welcoming the government to Mogadishu. It is a big loss, but we will not be deterred in our effort to forge peace and rebuild Somalia in his honour and other great Somalis like him," Ghedi said. On the Somaliland-Puntland clash he noted: "We are very sorry about the violence and the deaths of Somali people. I believe the fighting lasted a few hours and action was immediately taken to bring it under control. "A committee of elders from both sides was encouraged by the new President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed to resolve the issues. He is not the president of Puntland. Puntland remains a state with its own local administration. President Yusuf appealed for an end to the fighting and for the reconciliation and negotiation and no more violence is expected," he told The Standard. The task ahead for the new government is enormous and challenging, but with reconciliation continuing, the main work involves ensuring security, restoring law and order and the beginning of reconstruction activities. "The expectations of the Somali people were extremely high during the peace process in Kenya and they have received the news of a new Parliament and a new government with great joy and hope. They don’t wish to go back to the situation that has prevailed for the past 15 years." The momentum of the Somali people in supporting the new President and his appointment as Prime Minister was overwhelming and would provide the inspiration needed to chart Somalia’s future, he said. He dismissed allegations that there had been a campaign for his appointment. "The power to appoint a Prime Minister is the exclusive prerogative of the President. It is not an elective position." Observers of the Somali political scenario say President Yusuf, who comes from the minority ***** clan (Siad Barre was from this clan) played a master card in appointing Ghedi PM. The new Prime Minister comes from the majority ****** clan, whose presidential candidate (former cabinet minister Abdullahi Addou) Yusuf defeated in the presidential elections in Nairobi. With Ghedi as the leader of government, with the power to name new cabinet members, the dominant ****** clan is bound to rally behind the new administration. However, Ghedi the academic wishes to steer away from political gamesmanship, preferring to concentrate on reconciliation, reconstruction and economic recovery. "My appointment as Prime Minister should not be a surprise. For the last 12 years I have been involved in development programmes in my home country and the region with NGOs, the European Commission and the African Union," he noted. Ghedi said his professional and academic background will assist him in the task to revive and boost Somalia’s economy. "Livestock is the backbone of our economy and we wish to develop it alongside other natural resources." He is encouraged by the resourcefulness and resilience of the Somali people and their culture of helping each other, notably business people in the Diaspora who transfer money back home. "Our policy will be to promote free trade in an open market where the private sector will be encouraged to maximize its role." His government will be gender-sensitive and he appreciates the role played by Somali women in business activities, which have enhanced the economic recovery in family units. "I will appoint women to the Cabinet. We will politically, socially and economically integrate women in our government," the PM asserted emphatically. While continuing to discharge his duties at his Nairobi base away from Somalia, Ghedi is effusive in his praise for the role Kenya has played in the rebirth of Somalia. "We are extremely grateful to the people and Government of Kenya. Kenya has successfully spearheaded peace for Somalia for two years under Igad, the African Union and the international community. "In our gratitude we must say that we expected this in the spirit of brotherhood and as neighbours. We shall reciprocate. Kenya has been a tremendous example and you can see the Nobel Peace Prize has come to Kenya for the efforts the country and its people have made." Ghedi appealed to the international community for help. "We thank you for your concern, attention and assistance, Please support this new-born baby which is still very small until it grows and stands on its own."

Visa ban for Somalis is likely to be lifted’ By Afkar Abdullah 13 November 2004 DUBAI — With the establishment of a new government in Somalia, the ban on the issuance of UAE visas to the Somalis as well as the export of Somali livestock to many countries, including the UAE, is expected to be lifted, said the Prime Minister of Somalia, Ali Mohammed Gaiddi, in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times yesterday. It is to be mentioned here that a couple of months ago, the UAE authorities had banned entry visas to the Somalis because the country was not functioning under a government. Since the situations has now changed, the ban imposed on the Somali people as well as livestock will be lifted, said Gaiddi, who was appointed some 30 hours before the death of Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Somalia's first civilian prime minister since the overthrow of the central government nearly 14 years ago. Gaiddi was recently on a visit to the UAE to offer condolences on behalf of the government and people of Somalia over the passing of Shaikh Zayed. He said his government understood that the ban on the Somali people and the livestock had adversely affected the Somali community that had been expanding constantly over the last five years due to their growing business interest in the UAE and the region. However, he added that the governments of various countries, including the UAE, have a right to ban the import of Somali livestock into their country as there were no inspections and valid certifications. “After the structuring of the cabinet, we will work on solving such problems,†he stressed. “The day I was appointed as prime minister, I decided to devise a political programme to structure the cabinet, which will work on maintaining the security and stability in the country to start reconstruction. However, the reconstruction process cannot be initiated without the peace on ground," he said, adding: "We are talking of a country which has completely self-destructed. The infrastructure has been destroyed almost entirely.. So it's going to be an enormous task.†To a question about the fighting in Magadeshu last month, he said the Somali government officials are not seeking recognition from the various factions in the country. The disputes among these factions will not affect structuring of the government as well as the unity of the country, he added. The new prime minister stressed that his government will be prepared to negotiate with these faction leaders — especially those in Magadeshu who enjoy some support. The government will also work for disarming the militants in all the regions and persuade the faction leaders to give up their power in order to maintain security, he added. “We are planning to accommodate militants into the national army and provide them with advanced military training so that they form a part of the country's defence force. To achieve these plans, the government will ask the peace-keeping troops of the African Union to assist it in collecting arms from the militants. Members of the militant factions have not taken up arms in defence of an issue, but as a tool of survival,†he added. About the possibility of running the country while being on ground, he said: "We have no plans to be an exiled government, our first plan is to secure Magadeshu, which is still fully armed. It is being controlled by opposing factions. We are planning to send people belonging to various original clans to the country so that they start making the members of the clans aware of the importance of unity in country's peace and freedom. My plan is to appoint a committee consisting of various members of the clans to work on paving the way for the government to enter the country by assuring the militants that they will be working in the national army, police and other armed forces. Once all these plans are achieved, the government will definitely establish its base in Magadeshu." About the recent approval by the federal parliament about the appointment government officials from the parliament, Gaiddi said that two contradictory Articles cannot be included in the constitution, with the first one saying that the president and the prime minister can appoint cabinet members both from inside and outside of the parliament and the other one saying that the cabinet can only comprise members belonging to the parliament. “We are consulting international lawyers in this regard. The two articles are still part of the constitution and we many make use of both,†he added. Gaiddi paid rich tributes to the late president, Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and hailed his wisdom and excellent political stability "that would serve as an example for Somalia to emulate."

Lets wait and see the outcome of the case. People then we shall all sue each other until kingdom come. I would like to now thank Rahima for sticking up for me, what are families for if not that. And I would like to appoint OG. Girl to defend me against Jumatutu, I dont know what I have done to the guy, he seems to have replaced Xarago as my shadow :eek: Oh Xarago welcome back darling A late Eid Mubarak to everyone ...

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/8870E2AA-B4F7-43FB-B1E7-21B6D1BA8AE7.htm

Madaxweyne C/llaahi Yuusuf oo Xalay gaaray dalka Imaaraadka Carabta. Madaxweynaha dowlada ku meer gaarka ah ee soomaaliya C/llaahi Yuusuf Axmed iyo wafdigii la socday oo uu ka mid ahaa Guddoomiyaha Baarlamaanka Shariif Xasan sheekh Aadan ayaa xalay gaaray Magaalada Abu Dabai ee dalka Imaaraadka kadib markii uu ka soo kictimay dalka Sacuudiga. Wararka ayaa sheegaya in C/llaahi Yuusuf uu casuumaad ka helay madaxda dowlada Imaaraadka isagoo kala hadli doona sida la sheegay doorka Carabta ka cayaari karaan arrimaha soomaaliya marka laga hadlayo dib u dhiska dalka soomaaliya, iyadoo warar kale sheegayan in madaxweyne C/llaahi Yuusuf ka dalbaday wadamada Carabta ee socdaalka ku tagay in ay ka qeyb qaatan qorshaha soomaaliya hubka looga dhigayo oo Carabta ciidamo u soo diraan. Wafdiga Madaxweynaha waxaa ku soo dhaweeyay Garoonka Abu dabai Wasiirka warfaafinta dalkaasi Xamad C/raxmaan Al-Midfax,Madaxda Madaxtooyada dalkaasi, Danjiraha soomaaliya Imaaraadka Xuseen Maxamed. Xubnaha wafdiga oo isla xalay kulan la yeeshen Madaxweynaha Cusub ee Imaaraadka Carabta Khaliifa Bin Zaayid Al-Nahyan, wuxuuna C/llaahi Yuusuf uga tacsiyadeedyay geeradii ku timid aabihiisa Sheekh Zaa’iid, kadibna waxay ka wadahadleen Xiriirka Labada dal. Wafdiga Madaxweynaha ayaa waxay isla Xalay booqdeen Qabriga Madaxweynihii hore dalkaas Ex Sheekh Zaa’iid, kadibna waxaa la dejiyay Guri si weyn Ammaankkisa la sugay sida ay ku waramayan wararka naga soo gaaraya Imaaraadka Carabta. Mr Yuusuf oo intii uu joogay Sacuudiga la kulmay Ninka iska leh dhahalka Boqortooyada dalkaasi ayaa la sheegay in ay ka wadahadleen xiriirka Labada dal iyo xayiraada carabta saareen xoolaha soomaalida ee dalalkaas loo dhoofin jiray, iyadoo sacuudiga si hoose u ballan qaadeen in ay ka qeyb qaatan dib u dhiska dalka soomaaliya. Maanta ayaa la filayaa in Madaxweynaha soomaalida C/llaahi Yuusuf u sii gudbo dalka Cummaan, halkaas oo uu ka haley sida la sheegay marti qaad Madaxweynimo. Nuuradin Macalin Mukhtaar (Dinow) nuradin007@hotmail.com Midnimo Information Center Xafiiska Midnimo ee Muqdisho wararka@midnimo.com

Abu-Dubai: Madaxwaynaha Soomaaliya oo xalay shir Abu-Dubia kula yeeshay Shiikh Khaliifa Binu-saayid masuulka ugu sareeya dowladda UAE - Thursday, November 11, 2004 at 00:10 Abu-Dubia (AllPuntland)- Madaxwaynaha DFK ee Soomaaliya Md Cabdullaahi Yuusuf Ahmed ayaa xalay shir la yeeshay shiikha ugu sareeya Imaaraadka Carabta ee Sh. Khaliifa Binu-saayid oo ah masuulka ugu sareeya dowladda UAE. Kulanka labada masuul, ayaa sida wararku sheegayaan ay uga wada hadleen, iskaashiga labada dhinac iyo sidii waliba dowladda Imaaraadku gacan dhaqaale uga gaysan lahayd dib u dhiska dalka Soomaaliya. Madaxwaynaha Soomaaliya iyo wafdiga uu hogaaminayo oo shalay galinkii dambe diyaarad khaasihi ay ka soo qaaday wadanka Sacuudi Carabiya ayaa lagu wadaa in - ka hor inta aysan dib ugu laaban magaalada Nairobi ay soo maraan dalal kale oo Carbeed. Socdaalka wafdigan oo ujeedkiisu ahaa sidii taageero loogu raadin lahaa dowladda cusub ee Soomaaliya ayaa wafdigu waxay horey u soo mareen dalalka; Ugandha iyo Yemen. AllPuntland.com

Allah ha uu naxariisto. Arafat, Abu Ammar was the symbol of Palastine and will be surely missed.

Deaths of 10 more U.S. troops brings the two-day total to 21 By Robert Burns Associated Press WASHINGTON - U.S. casualties in Iraq are mounting as the U.S.-led offensive in Fallujah unfolds. As of Tuesday night, 10 soldiers had been killed in action and an undisclosed number wounded - a toll described by a senior U.S. commander as light. On Monday, 11 U.S. service members died across Iraq - among the highest for a single day since last spring - as the insurgents escalated the violence in Baghdad and elsewhere. The U.S. military command in Baghdad said that in addition to the 10 U.S. troops killed in Fallujah, two members of the Iraqi security forces also had been killed. A brief U.S. military statement said there could be delays in reporting combat casualties in Fallujah "in order to prevent the anti-Iraqi forces and other terrorist elements from gaining useful battlefield intelligence." Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz, senior U.S. commander for the Fallujah operation, said he was pleased that U.S. casualties so far had been limited to about a dozen. He would not be more specific, saying any number he gave quickly would be out of date. Speaking by video teleconference from his headquarters in Baghdad, Metz told reporters at the Pentagon that insurgent casualties were "significantly higher than I expected." Most of the rebel force, estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000, was "fighting hard but not to the death," he said. Casualty reports, particularly in a combat zone like Fallujah, sometimes are slow and imprecise because of the chaotic conditions. Tommy Franks, the retired four-star Army general who commanded U.S. forces when President Bush ordered the invasion in March 2003, said Tuesday it was too early to conclude that U.S. casualties would remain light. "There can be an inclination to say, ‘Hey, this is going just right.’ I’d caution against that," he said in an Associated Press interview. "This enemy is capable of putting up a big fight." Franks also said he expected the level of violence in Iraq, as well as the number of U.S. casualties, to begin to decline now that the U.S. elections were over and Bush had made clear that the United States would remain on course. The death toll for Iraqi civilians has been higher in recent days than the U.S. death count, as it has been through much of the war. Many have been killed by car bombs. Dan Goure, a military analyst at the Lexington Institute think tank, said Iraqis present an easier target for the insurgents, and he expects them to continue to bear the brunt of the violence. Goure said the relatively light U.S. casualties in the opening days of the Fallujah offensive may not hold as the fighting escalates. But he noted that so far the toll is less severe than last April when 135 U.S. troops died, the worst month of the war. "If casualties in November start approaching that number, then there’s some significant reason to worry," Goure said. After a decline in U.S. deaths in May and June, the toll began rising again. There were 54 in July, 65 in August, 80 in September and 63 in October. By the Pentagon’s count, 1,139 Americans have died in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. Metz said it was remained unclear whether insurgents were consolidating in parts of the city that U.S. forces had not yet reached. In any case he foresaw "several more days of tough urban fighting." U.S. officials have been predicting for weeks that violence in Iraq would escalate as national elections scheduled for January drew closer. They believe the rebels’ main goal is to prevent the elections. The U.S.-led assault on Fallujah, while risking a spike in casualties, is intended to stabilize that city so that a major population center is not excluded from the January voting. The insurgents remain a problem in several other cities in the "Sunni Triangle" that runs north and west from Baghdad, where deposed President Saddam Hussein grew up and had his strongest support. These include Ramadi, Baqubah, Samarra and the Iraqi capital. The Fallujah fighting is among the most dangerous for U.S. troops, who are battling bands of guerrillas in the city’s streets. Among the threats they face are hidden roadside bombs and car bombs, in addition to small arms like AK-47 assault rifles and machine guns. There also is an increased risk of "friendly fire" casualties in urban warfare, although there was no indication Tuesday that this had happened. AP photo

Abdullah bin Abdulaziz oo Makkah ku Qaabilay Cabdullaahi Yuusuf Makkah, Nov. 9: Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz ayaa qalcada Alsafa ee Makkah waxa uu caawa ku qaabilay Madaxweynaha DFKMG ee Soomaaliya, Cabdullah Yuusuf Axmed iyo waftiga uu hogaaminayo oo booqasho ku jooga dalka Sucuudiga. Intii uu kulanku socdey waxay labada dhinac ka wada hadleen arimaha caalamka Islaamka, guud ahaan waxyaabaha kusoo kordhay dunuda, gaarahaan arimaha Falastiin iyo xaalada Ciraaq. Waxa kale oo ay ka wada hadleen sidii loo sii hagaajin lahaa xiriirka iyo wada shaqaynta labada dal ee Soomaaliya iyo Sucuudiga. Kulankaas waxa kale oo ka qayb galay Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, iyo Prince Dr. Salman bin Bandar bin Mohammed, lataliyayaal boqortooyada iyo saraakiil Somaaliyeed. ISHA: SPA [http://www.spa.gov.sa] | Faafin: Somalitalk Nov 9

Iraqi interim PM's relatives taken hostage Wednesday 10 November 2004, 15:40 Makka Time, 12:40 GMT Iyad Allawi gave the go-ahead for the US-led attack on Falluja A group claiming responsibility for the abduction of three relatives of interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, have threatened to kill them in 48 hours if the state did not halt the raid on Falluja and free prisoners. "If the agent government does not meet our demands within 48 hours we will behead them (the hostages)," the Ansar al-Jihad group said in a statement dated Wednesday and carried on a Muslim website. Its authenticity could not be immediately verified. A spokesman for the Iraqi interim government said on Wednesday that a first cousin of the prime minister, the cousin's wife and another family member were seized from their home in Baghdad on Tuesday morning. "With the help of God in this holy month (Ramadan) a unit of Ansar al-Jihad kidnapped three relatives of head of the Iraqi agents, Allawi, may God burn him and slaughter him," the statement said. It demanded the release of all Iraqi female and male prisoners and an end to the assault on the city of Falluja. Allawi ordered the American-led assault on Falluja to crush anti-US resistance before Iraq tries to hold an election in late January. Security disorder Commenting on the situation, an Iraqi political analyst, Nizar al-Samarrai told Aljazeera. "When such an incident reaches the house of the prime miniter, the highest political official in the country, this means there is a complete security disorder." "The country cannot control the situation and protect officials and their families," said al-Samarrai. The analyst believes that what is happening in many Iraqi cities, particularly Falluja, will kick-start a new round of violence in the country. Al-Samarrai says the abductions have been carried out by those harmed by Allawi's decision to attack Falluja. They are holding him responsible for all the victims of the attack, he added.

Thirteen US soldiers killed in Iraq Tuesday 09 November 2004, 23:26 Makka Time, 20:26 GMT US forces withdrew from Ramadi after fierce fighting Related: Police stations hit in Baquba Assault on besieged Falluja under way Tools: Email Article Print Article Send Your Feedback Ten US soldiers have been killed in Falluja with three other US military personnel killed in other parts of Iraq, according to the US military. About a dozen US troops have been killed so far in the offensive against the Iraqi city of Falluja, US Lieutenant General Thomas Metz said on Tuesday without giving a precise toll. According to Pentagon figures, some 10 soldiers were also wounded in and around Falluja. "Friendly casualties are light," Metz said in a video teleconference briefing from Iraq. The US military reported that two Iraqi soldiers of the interim army had been killed in the attacks on Falluja. "Enemy casualties, I think, are significantly higher than I expected," Metz added, but declined to provide a number. Mosul, Baghdad fighting Three US military personnel were also reported killed in Mosul and Baghdad on Tuesday. Fighting has increased in and around the northern city of Mosul "One Task Force Olympia soldier was killed and a second service member later died of wounds following a mortar attack on a Multi-National Base in Mosul at approximately 10:00am (0700 GMT) today," a statement said. "A civilian contractor also wounded in the attack was evacuated to the military hospital in Baghdad," the statement added. Another US soldier succumbed to his wounds sustained during a firefight with Iraqi fighters in Baghdad, AP reported. A total of 14 Americans have been killed in the past two days across Iraq - including five in and around Falluja. The latest US deaths brings to 1140 the number of US troops killed in Iraq since the US-led invasion in March 2003, according to Pentagon figures. Ramadi fighting In a separate development, anti-US fighters took control of the centre of the Iraqi city of Ramadi after 24 hours of clashes with US forces, an AFP correspondent has said. The US military could not immediately be contacted for comment. Five US troops were wounded in clashes in Ramadi US forces withdrew Tuesday around 2:00pm (1100 GMT) from Ramadi's main streets to their bases east and west of the city, the correspondent said. Earlier, five US troops were wounded in Ramadi when marines shot at and destroyed two suspected cars killing seven fighters, the US military said Tuesday. The attack occured in the city on Monday, located 113km west of Baghdad, where US troops have clashed with fighters for weeks, the military said. No other details were available. Ramadi, and Falluja to the east, is a centre of anti-US fighters waging a 17-month campaign against US-backed interim authorities in Iraq.