Col Iftin Baasto Routed And Defeated By Raskambooni Militia

[Murax]

Somali warlord strengthens control of Kismayo
AFPBy Mohamed Abdiwahab | AFP – 4 hours ago

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<p>Ahmed Madobe speaks in Kismayo in February. Fighters loyal to the Somali warlord have strengthened control of the key southern port of Kismayo, residents said Monday, after days of clashes between rival militia forces.</p>View Photo

Ahmed Madobe speaks in Kismayo in February. Fighters loyal to the Somali warlord have strengthened …

Fighters loyal to Somali warlord Ahmed Madobe strengthened control of the key southern port of Kismayo, residents said Monday, after days of clashes between rival militia forces.

Heavy fighting broke out Friday when the Ras Kamboni militia of Madobe -- recently self-appointed "president" of the southern Jubaland region -- battled forces loyal to Iftin Hassan Basto, another leader claiming to be president.

"The situation is quiet now and most parts of the town are controlled by Madobe's men," said resident Abdulahi Mire, adding that rival forces had been forced outside town, but "are not far away".

Several rival factions claim ownership of Kismayo, a former stronghold of the Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab where Kenyan troops in an African Union force are now based.

The Kenyan troops, who invaded Somalia in 2011, back Madobe's control of the strategic and economic hub, but neither the title of "president" nor the region of Jubaland is recognised by the weak central government in Mogadishu.

"Business is slowly returning to normal, we can't hear gunfire today... we hope the situation stays calm like this," said Ahmed Moyale, another resident.

Jubaland lies in the far south of Somalia, bordering both Kenya and Ethiopia, and control is split between multiple forces including clan militia, the Shebab and Kenyan and Ethiopian soldiers.

Jubaland joins other semi-autonomous regions of the fractured Horn of Africa nation, including Puntland in the northeast -- which wants autonomy within a federation of states -- and Somaliland in the northwest, which fiercely defends its self-declared independence.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who holds little sway in the port city, said all sides should end the fighting.

"The time for fighting is over," he said in a statement. "We must unite and seek to resolve our differences peacefully, we must unite for the fight against Al-Shebab."

The Kenyan and Somali presidents met last week, discussing among other issues Nairobi's role in Jubaland, which has a lucrative charcoal industry, fertile farmland and potential offshore oil and gas deposits.

Many eye the economic, strategic and political profits of the region.

Kenya views the region as a key buffer zone to protect its borders, but in Jubaland, it has ended up backing a warlord opposing the central government it is mandated -- and funded by the UN and European Union -- to support.

In the past two years, AU troops have wrested town after town from the Shebab, hauling down their black Islamist banners and raising Somalia's flag.

But asserting the authority of the central government -- which until recently controlled just a few blocks of the capital Mogadishu -- is a far harder task.

Analysts warn the rivalries risk threatening the fragile progress made in Somalia.

"The crisis...threatens to destabilise the entire country if not properly dealt with," the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, a Somali research group, wrote in a recent report, warning the clashes risk "creating an opening for Al-Shebab to reassert control in recently recovered areas

[TAATIKO]

umada nabad allah dhax dhigo,

[AbdiWahab252]

abdiwahab mohamed is crunk on expired caanobode. General Iftin has held his own and inflicted damage on the Garissan landless peasants.

[SANDIEGUY]

The author of the "article" is so mad
he cant keep his emotions out of the report. disgusting

[Murax]

abdiwahab mohamed is crunk on expired caanobode. General Iftin has held his own and inflicted damage on the Garissan landless peasants.

This was actually very bad for the Government. They got a lot of bad press and no reward. Madoobe can now paint the Gov as troublemakers and terrorist sympathizers to the int'l community and I doubt any minister will now be allowed in Kismayo.

[AbdiWahab252]

Actually the govt were behaving like a bunch of bitches. Iftiin responded to the Kenyan peasant armys provocation in the right manner. He has more support now than Hassan Sheik when it comes to Kismayo.

[SANDIEGUY]

kismayo kismayo kismayo, kismayo bay ku waasheen

[Murax]

Actually the govt were behaving like a bunch of bitches. Iftiin responded to the Kenyan peasant armys provocation in the right manner. He has more support now than Hassan Sheik when it comes to Kismayo.

If the Gov was banking on Col Iftin they are clearly delusional. To be honest the timing of the defense minister's arrival and departure was very suspicious and idiotic. He should have stayed longer. He looks like He started some shid and when His boys were defeated ran to Mogadishu. Abdiwahab why is this Gov so clumsy?

[Based]

In my opinion, they were using Baasto's milita to test the strength and resolve of Ras Kambooni (and any potential KDF support) before deciding on whether or not to move forward with a larger offensive.

[original dervish]

Make no mistake....Baasto was to be used as the fuse to ignite wider conflict.
Hassan Sheikh was banking on the Marehan, whom many are undecided about J/Land, breaking cover and join the fighting.

By acting in such a irresponsible and reckless manner, this HAG Govt has proved it cares nothing for the lives of J/Landers.
All they see is narrow clan interests, as if J/Land was a luxury 1991 villa in Xamar.

[SecretAgent]

I can tell you for sure that these SARANSOOR militias are in Cabdalla Biroole which is the sole village predominantly for Gaaljecel & Cawralamaleh and not far from Kismayo. homeless garisans , bantus from puntland will be kicked out ASAP, madobe was born in ethiopa 1951

[Murax]

I can tell you for sure that these SARANSOOR militias are in Cabdalla Biroole which is the sole village predominantly for Gaaljecel & Cawralamaleh and not far from Kismayo. homeless garisans , bantus from puntland will be kicked out ASAP, madobe was born in ethiopa 1951

Honestly speaking, Cawaramle are no match for Ogaden.

[EEGA9]

Abdiwahab of AFP:

Heavy fighting broke out Friday when the Ras Kamboni militia of Madobe -- recently self-appointed "president" of the southern Jubaland region -- battled forces loyal to Iftin Hassan Basto, another leader claiming to be president.

Abdi Sheikh of Reuters:

A local assembly last month declared Madobe president of the southern Jubaland region, handing him back control of Kismayo.

[The_Patriot]

Why wasnt Marexan armed to create a rebellion in kismaayo.
Was it:
A)Culusow believed that hawiye are majority in Kismaayo.
B)Marexan is same sh!t like Absame different Obstacles.

[Mustafee101]

Who are the Cawaramle ?