Somalia’s Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents have lost a series of towns to African Union and government troops, while commanders have initiated purges against rival factions. Here are a series of portraits of Shebab or rival Islamist leaders. AHMED ABDI GODANE: Top commander or “emir” of the Shebab, aged just 36 and with a $7 million...
The World Health Organization says at least 71 people have been killed and more than 300 wounded in ongoing fighting between rival militias in the Somali city of Kismayo. WHO said in a statement Thursday that fighting in the southern port city has displaced many and “continues to have a profound impact on civilians and...
By Farouk Chothia BBC Africa analyst The surrender of Somalia’s veteran militant Islamist, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, signals that his faction has lost the battle for control of the al-Shabab group to hardliners determined to step up their military campaign to establish an Islamic state in the East African country. The 78 year old –...
By Matt Shea There are a great many people in the UK who won’t have heard of khat. It’s not a drug that’s ever been glamourised in popular music or film; there is no khat Trainspotting or “Ebeneezer Goode”. Sure, the Mail may have linked it to terrorism and street attacks carried out by immigrants, but what haven’t the Mail linked to...
By Tom Perry and Yasmine Saleh CAIRO Egypt’s armed forces overthrew elected Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on Wednesday and announced a political transition with the support of a wide range of political, religious and youth leaders. After a day of drama in which tanks and troops deployed near the presidential palace as a military deadline...
Nairobi, July 3, 2013–A court in the capital of the semi-autonomous republic of Somaliland today convicted the manager and editor of the independent daily Hubaal of defamation and sentenced them to prison. Hubaal‘s editor, Hussein Hassan Abdullahi, received two years, while the paper’s manager, Mohamed Ahmed Jama, was sentenced to one year in jail on charges of defamation and...
West London warehouse workers who import the herb believe Somalis will suffer but others say drug is tearing society apart Ian Sample, science correspondent The delivery trucks arrive with heavy loads and jostle for room on the grit and mud as men stand around or sit on forklifts, some chatting, some smoking, until the time comes...
Muqdisho, july 3, 2013 (WDN)- Warka Radio Wardheer, Qodobbada warka aad ku maqli doontaan dhageystayaal waxa ka mid ah, Dagaallo ka dhacay magaalada Gaalkacyo, Madaxweyne Xasan Sh iyo beesha Habar-gidir oo ka wadahadlay arinta Xasan Daahir, Wararkii ugu danbeeyay ee banaanbaxyada Masar iyo qodobo kale oo caalami ah.
By A. N. WILSON Channel 4 is well known for gimmickry. Its latest trick is to have a month-long daily broadcast of the Muslim call to prayer. Does this cheer you up? Does it make you think what a happy, tolerant, multi-cultural society Britain has become? Or does Channel 4’s move nauseate you, as it does...
By Yasmine Saleh and Alastair Macdonald Egypt’s army commander and Islamist President Mohamed Mursi each pledged his life to defy the other as a deadline approached on Wednesday that will trigger a military takeover backed by protesters. The military chiefs, wanting to restore order in a country racked by protests over Mursi’s Islamist policies, issued...