US proposes African force for Somalia

musika man · Post by **musika man** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:47 pm

the end for the hutu-courts is in sight. freedom to my people at last.

By Mark Turner at the United Nations and Andrew England in,Cairo
Published: December 1 2006 02:00 | Last updated: December 1 2006 02:00

The US is expected shortly to call for an African force to prop up Somalia's beleaguered transitional government and stave off the advance of the country's Islamic Courts Union (ICU).

US officials said they were working with the UK on a United Nations resolution, to be proposed imminently, that would lift an arms embargo to allow regional forces to protect the dwindling administration of Abdullahi Yusuf.

But analysts question the viability of such a force and fear that if it did deploy, the likelihood of a big confrontation would rise.
Mr Yusuf is a warlord- turned-president, with UN backing, but in practice has little influence outside the central town of Baidoa. Underlining his difficulties, an apparent suicide bomb exploded yesterday at a checkpoint outside the town.

The ICU, an alliance of conservative and radical Islamists, captured Mogadishu from a loose grouping of warlords in June, and now controls much of southern Somalia. Mr Yusuf is reliant on the support of as many as 5,000 Ethiopian troops for his survival.

A recent UN expert report alleged that Uganda also supported Mr Yusuf, while the ICU was receiving high-tech support from Eritrea, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, among others.

Experts warn that political strife in Somalia might escalate into a more serious regional conflict. But western powers have shown no desire to send in their own troops, more than 10 years after the last, ill-fated, UN peacekeeping mission. Instead, they propose to back a regional IGAD force, possibly led by Uganda.

European countries are uncomfortable at offering UN backing to frontline states, in particular Ethiopia, although they concede that it is their presence that has staved off the government's collapse.

One Security Council diplomat said there were no particularly attractive solutions but "there comes a moment when you take the troops you have and make the most of them".

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/6ad20664-80e1-1 ... e2340.html

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2006

Post by **The-Screw** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:51 pm

support from Eritrea, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, among others.

dam.n.

michael_ital · Post by **michael_ital** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:51 pm

Yanks don't care about loss of life, political upheaval or even a long drawn out civil war, so long as the Islamic faction is neutralized.

musika man · Post by **musika man** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:48 am

[quote="michael_ital"]Yanks don't care about loss of life, political upheaval or even a long drawn out civil war, so long as the Islamic faction is neutralized.[/quote]

what is your point? we aint iraq, we have been at war with each other for 16 years. we deserve a better change not hutu crusaders. as long it takes. replacing the devil with evil is no solution.

michael_ital · Post by **michael_ital** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:53 am

and what is YOUR point? You think America is going to bring "a better change" ? They dont care if Somalia is at war for another 16 years, so long as the ICU and the falsely perceived threat of "Somali terrorism" is eradicated. You're naive if you think the US is gonna make peace.

Steeler [Crawler2] · Post by **Steeler [Crawler2]** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:56 am

Mick
The Islamic faction must be neutralized, in Somalia and everywhere. If this means killing everyone, that's what we'll have to do. Sorry.

Gedo_Boy · Post by **Gedo_Boy** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:01 am

MAD MAC,

Have you been 'tapped' yet by your superiors for a mission requiring detailed knowledge of the Horn? Laughing

Cawar · Post by **Cawar** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:08 am

"A recent UN expert report alleged that Uganda also supported Mr Yusuf, while the ICU was receiving high-tech support from Eritrea, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, among others."

Where are the Hutuban supporters??

Waryaa muslim-man...ku aaway and the rest of the ICU supporters??

Now go cry and pray Allah to help Eritrea and the Fulayiin Arabs... Laughing

Steeler [Crawler2] · Post by **Steeler [Crawler2]** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:03 am

Gedo
No. And unless we actually send troops into Somalia, I think I am off the hook.

Gedo_Boy · Post by **Gedo_Boy** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:05 am

yes, ofcourse because covert missions never happen.

I was just reading a few weeks ago that a US military convoy was active around the Kenya border.

are you in 18-wheeled mobile commander center somewhere on the border Question

Steeler [Crawler2] · Post by **Steeler [Crawler2]** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:44 am

Covert missions happen all over the world - I've participated in some. But the Army isn't going to recall me for some covert crap. I am a line guy. Not a spec ops type.

So unless it's overt, I am out.

Gedo_Boy · Post by **Gedo_Boy** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:47 am

what does 'line guy' mean?

qudhac-m · Post by **qudhac-m** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:58 am

[quote="Gedo_Boy"]what does 'line guy' mean?[/quote]

line guy >>>> linen guy >>> means laundry manager

Cawar · Post by **Cawar** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:01 am

[quote="qudhac-m"][quote="Gedo_Boy"]what does 'line guy' mean?[/quote]

line guy >>>> linen guy >>> means laundry manager[/quote]

Laughing

I think it means..like... a front guy...who fights openly with the enemy..eventhough that tactic has been abondoned by the Americans thanks in part to their air superiority
and mainly due to their Cowardice. Laughing

Steeler [Crawler2] · Post by **Steeler [Crawler2]** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:26 am

Cawar
Americans are the bravest of the brave. Toughest of the tough. Remember that. War isn't like a football game. We aren't looking to keep the score close. We want to win 100-0 or as close to that as possible. US troops are running foot patrols in the streets of Baghdad every day. We get into gunfights with insurgents every day. Do I need to cite some evidence?

Gedo
Line means line units. That is, numbered organizations that are part of the main stream Army. Like 10th Mountain Division. I spent a lot of time in 10th Mountain Division, a line unit.