Mogadishu war bulletin
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:30 am
(SomaliNet) Ethiopian government increased its military presence in Mogadishu. Witnesses said convoys army trucks carrying Ethiopian troops and tanks have been pouring into the city for the past twenty-four hours. Hundreds of Ethiopian infantry men, tanks and other armored vehicles re-enforced the frontline yesterday and today.
Witnesses said the insurgents seem well trained and prepared for major Ethiopian assault. The Ethiopians have clear military superiority while the insurgents know the city and are willing to die for their cause.
The war entered its second day today. Although not as intense as yesterday, the two sides continue to shell each other’s side. Both sides are using heavy weaponry like artillery shells, anti-aircraft guns, and multiple rocket launchers in the city. This overuse of weapons in urban areas resulted mounting civilian casualties vast desertion. Mohamed Farah of SomaliNet said the exodus of fleeing civilians continues although the road between Mogadishu and southern part of Somalia is closed due to the war.
Somalia welcomes suicide bombers
The insurgents adapted Middle East style suicide bombing. At least one person blew himself yesterday near Ethiopian military compound. A bystander said at least two Ethiopian vehicles entering the compound were destroyed to small pieces. Two weeks ago, Al-Jazeera TV aired a Somali man who was speaking in Arabic and reciting Koranic verses. Then they showed an SUV full what appeared to be explosives driving toward an Ethiopian compound followed by a large explosion. Late last year, two similar incidents were reported in Baidao where the government was stationed at the time.
President Abdulahi Yusuf of Somalia is in Addis Ababa for a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Melez Zenawi. The two men have already met but neither the topic nor the outcome of their meeting has been publicized yet.
A close aid to Prime Minister of Somalia, Mr. Ali Gedi said the current fighting is the opening salvo of the largest and the last fight with what he called “Al-Qaeda in Somaliaâ€. He said the government will clean the northern part of the city within a short time. Then the assault will be directed at more difficult insurgent positions in the south of the city.
Who are the insurgents?
Some of the insurgents fought among each other in the past and still have different philosophies on political matters. However, they are united by one goal: to chase Ethiopia out of Somalia and defeat the interim government. If you talk to these men you’ll see that some of them are driven by nationalism, others by religion and a good junk are fighting for clan pride. Most common arguments among them are "Ethiopia invaded Somalia", "Christians invaded Muslim Somalia", and "Abdulahi Yusuf’s clan invaded mine". The common denominator is the desire to defeat the Ethiopians and president Yusuf.
Witnesses said the insurgents seem well trained and prepared for major Ethiopian assault. The Ethiopians have clear military superiority while the insurgents know the city and are willing to die for their cause.
The war entered its second day today. Although not as intense as yesterday, the two sides continue to shell each other’s side. Both sides are using heavy weaponry like artillery shells, anti-aircraft guns, and multiple rocket launchers in the city. This overuse of weapons in urban areas resulted mounting civilian casualties vast desertion. Mohamed Farah of SomaliNet said the exodus of fleeing civilians continues although the road between Mogadishu and southern part of Somalia is closed due to the war.
Somalia welcomes suicide bombers
The insurgents adapted Middle East style suicide bombing. At least one person blew himself yesterday near Ethiopian military compound. A bystander said at least two Ethiopian vehicles entering the compound were destroyed to small pieces. Two weeks ago, Al-Jazeera TV aired a Somali man who was speaking in Arabic and reciting Koranic verses. Then they showed an SUV full what appeared to be explosives driving toward an Ethiopian compound followed by a large explosion. Late last year, two similar incidents were reported in Baidao where the government was stationed at the time.
President Abdulahi Yusuf of Somalia is in Addis Ababa for a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Melez Zenawi. The two men have already met but neither the topic nor the outcome of their meeting has been publicized yet.
A close aid to Prime Minister of Somalia, Mr. Ali Gedi said the current fighting is the opening salvo of the largest and the last fight with what he called “Al-Qaeda in Somaliaâ€. He said the government will clean the northern part of the city within a short time. Then the assault will be directed at more difficult insurgent positions in the south of the city.
Who are the insurgents?
Some of the insurgents fought among each other in the past and still have different philosophies on political matters. However, they are united by one goal: to chase Ethiopia out of Somalia and defeat the interim government. If you talk to these men you’ll see that some of them are driven by nationalism, others by religion and a good junk are fighting for clan pride. Most common arguments among them are "Ethiopia invaded Somalia", "Christians invaded Muslim Somalia", and "Abdulahi Yusuf’s clan invaded mine". The common denominator is the desire to defeat the Ethiopians and president Yusuf.
