AP: Heavy Fighting Erupts in Central Somalia

[Eugene]

Heavy Fighting Erupts in Central Somalia


Sunday November 12, 2006 10:01 AM

By MOHAMED SHEIK NOR

Associated Press Writer

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) - Heavy fighting erupted in central Somalia Sunday,
a day after the transitional government rejected a peace initiative with the
country's Islamic movement, officials said.

Islamic militia captured the town of Bandiradley after claiming they came
under attack from pro-government militia backed by Ethiopian troops near the
border of the semiautonomous region of Puntland in the north, one of the few
areas still outside their control.

"The fighting is continuing and we are pursuing Puntland troops," Mohamed
Mahmud Agaweyne, spokesman for the Islamic group in central Somalia, told
The Associated Press by telephone. Sa'id Abdirahman Dakaweyne, a colonel
with the Puntland militia, also confirmed the fighting.

-snip-

Fears are mounting that a war in Somalia could engulf the region. Several
peace initiatives have failed to take hold. The transitional government and
Islamic movement trade accusations over who is to blame for the deadlock.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6209311,00.html

[xchrom]

1. that poor country -- what a mess.

[niceypoo]

2. Bush went in there and armed the militias that killed americans in the 90s

It pissed the islamics off so they took over the country. Every mideast country Bush meddles in ends up being taken over by radical islamics. Perhaps that should tell him something.

[Igel]

4. Possibly a good accounting of cause and effect.

Possibly an accounting of effect as cause.

Hard to tell the difference sometimes.

[krispos42]

3. We should send over peacekeepers immediately

I'm sure we could spare a few troops. We must have, what, three or four dozen Navy Shore Patrolmen not being used someplace.

[opihimoimoi]

5. Them poor things....thats all they know?? How to kill each other??

What they need is for Donald Trump to open a Hotel/Casino overthere...lure the big spenders...