Puntland's war against 'Al Qaeda in Gulf of Aden'

[General Duke]

Somalia: Puntland's war against 'Al Qaeda in Gulf of Aden'

 

3 Oct 3, 2010 - 3:17:07 PM

 

Original title: " Sophism of Clan Rivalry in Puntland and the Reality of Al-Qaida in Gulf of Aden (AQGA)"

 

By: Mohamed Deeq Yussuf

 

Puntland vicinity to Yemen, separated by Gulf of Aden

Recent report by the Voice of America titled "Clan Rivalry Complicates Terrorism Fight in Puntland" bizarrely argues that any US assistance or cooperation with Puntland will somehow result in creating an intra-sub-clan war and instability in Puntland.

 

Arguments in the article are based on analysis conducted in Nairobi Kenya and little field verification or reporting. Indeed the report sounded much like pro-Islamist propaganda spread by web-sites associated with Al-shabaab, Hizbel Islam and half-dozen other sub-groups affiliated in Southern Somalia.

 

Unfortunately these propaganda-like arguments positions VOA amidst Somalia's propaganda war. Similarly it unintentional and unfairly creates an appearance that the neutral American journalist is party to Somalia's propaganda war and sadly on the Islamist side.

 

As reported by Voice of America and other international media, the U.N. Monitoring group for Somalia identified Mohamed Siad Atom as the principle supplier of arms to Islamist forces that control much of southern Somalia. This was verified information upon which the Government of Puntland and its allies (including the US) acted against Mr. Atom’s terror network. The United States Treasury Department froze the assets the suspected Islamist militants in Somalia including Atom’s Al-Qaida In Gulf of Aden (AQGA).

 

The Government of Puntland has also initiated traditional approaches to disarm Atom’s group by sending local clan elders to advise Atom’s terror network to disarm and surrender to the authorities. Earlier in 2010, Puntland’s clan elders of the ***** sub-clan (a sub-clan of the greater ***** clan) which includes among others the sub-sub-clan of Mr. Atom the "**********" have repeatedly attempted to peacefully disarm Mr. Atom's Al-Qaida in Gulf of Aden.

 

However, Atom's small but brutal terror network rejected to recognize the elders and refused all and any attempt to peacefully disarm. Al-Qaida in Gulf of Aden has demanded the clan elders to support AQGA's primary objective to dismantle Puntland and impose strict Taliban style Sharia Law which of course the elders of the ***** clan denounced. Leading to subsequent attacks.

 

Atom's highly condensed small has orchestrated number of attacks against civilians and government troops in an effort to achieve AQGA' s stated goal in overthrowing of what they call "the infidel serving government of Puntland".

 

The popular opinion against Atom's attacks and his rejection of the ***** sub-clan's proposed disarmament has resulted in the condemnation Atom's terror network and popular mobilization to eliminate AQGA. With this overwhelming support of local clans, Puntland security forces acted swiftly to stop Al-Qaida in Gulf of Aden. The security forces have defeated and dismantled nearly half-dozen bases controlled by AQGA. Local ***** clan members throughout Puntland have supported Puntland its fight to eradicate Al-Qaida in Gulf of Aden from the region and to uphold the will of the local people.

 

According to many Somalia observers and policy expert, the region has been target for Al-Qaida affiliates since early 1990s when Al- Ittihad Islami attempted to capture the port city of Bosaso. But was defeated by the local ***** clan. This among other things was a cornerstone in establishment of Puntland "a governing authority" that represents the aspirations of the local ***** clan and their ***** clansmen in northern Somalia.

 

Puntland was first established in August 1998 under "***** Clan Convention" which equitably appropriated its ***** sub-clans parliamentary and executive branch positions by quota. Contrary to the VOA's reports all the clans that created Puntland maintain membership by pre-defined quota in all affairs of the state. A fact that could have been verified by a field trip to Puntland.

 

Moreover, Atom’s Al-Qaida sub-branch AQGA is illegitimate to be a representative any of the ***** sub-clans. The reasoning of AQGA representing any sub-clan defies the local traditions and the customary laws. Unlike many African tribes, the Somali clan has a well-defined structure and leadership that cannot be assumed but any individual , a fact that the VOA report conveniently omits while advancing a fictitious clan rivalry.

[General Duke]

"A Sophism of Clan Rivalry"

 

The Somali American Diaspora and for that matter the people of Somalia's Puntland who have been successful in defeating the Islamist twice; Ittihad in 1990s or Atom's network in 2010 deserve factual analysis to present the reality on the ground if their allies in America cann’t afford them partnership against Al-Qaida in the Gulf of Aden.

 

While the VOA report talks about non-existent clan rivalry at the sub—sub clan level within the *****, yet on the other hand, there is no mention of clan rivalry and conflict between ***** clan (Warseneli included) against the breakaway Somaliland. If the premise and arguments raised by the article are logically complete then the US should not cooperate with Somaliland for fear of alienating the ***** clan in Somaliland who oppose Somaliland.

 

VOA and the reporter have shown a great deal of care in reporting possible cautionary consequences of America's policy, except that the warning was entirely based on false premises. Making the report another piece of Somalia's propaganda war and chatter in pro-Islamist Somali web-sites.

 

By: Mohamed Deeq Yussuf is a Somalia peace activist. He can be reached by E=mail: mdy1962@gmail.com

 

The opinion above is solely the author's and does not necessarily reflect the views of Garowe Online and its affiliates.

[General Duke]

[Amistad]

Originally posted by General Duke:

Recent report by the Voice of America titled "Clan Rivalry Complicates Terrorism Fight in Puntland" bizarrely argues that any US assistance or cooperation with Puntland will somehow result in creating an intra-sub-clan war and instability in Puntland.

 

Arguments in the article are based on analysis conducted in Nairobi Kenya and little field verification or reporting. Indeed the report sounded much like pro-Islamist propaganda spread by web-sites associated with Al-shabaab, Hizbel Islam and half-dozen other sub-groups affiliated in Southern Somalia.

 

Unfortunately these propaganda-like arguments positions VOA amidst Somalia's propaganda war. Similarly it unintentional and unfairly creates an appearance that the neutral American journalist is party to Somalia's propaganda war and sadly on the Islamist side.

Hence our belief that an accurate physical assessment should be done as does US State. I wouldn't give these VOA or other articles like this much weight, as you can be sure that US DoS does not. You can be sure that DoS will not want to get tangled up in any clan controversy.

 

I like the map...should that read "to" or "from"?

[Thankful]

I agree, it seems the U.S is aware of Atam's goals. Which is the reason why they froze his assets.

 

As well I am sure the U.S has translated his interviews and heard him specifically mention the U.S and Ethiopia as enemies.

[General Duke]

^^Agent Attam of Al Shabaab's position has been clear to everyone for years now. His audio interviews specially the one on PalTalk just cleared evrything for anyone who had a doubt.

[Gallad]

More like a puntland war against Makhar.

[General Duke]

^^^Gallad good to see you lad.

[Beer-Gaal]

Puntland's war against 'Atam in Gulf of Aden'??? let alone in Galgala mountains!!!

[General Duke]

^^^Not sure what you meant by that, but do try again.