NAIROBI: Fierce mortar attacks killed more than 10 civilians in Somalia on Tuesday, and that is virtually the new status quo. Nearly every day, government forces and insurgents shell each other across dilapidated neighborhoods in the capital, Mogadishu, scattering limbs and any remaining traces of hope. Gun prices are soaring, more clans are joining the underground, and an outbreak of cholera sweeps the countryside. "To tell you the truth, I'm pretty worried," said Ali Mahdi Mohammed, an influential clan elder and once a contender for the presidency. "When the government came to Mogadishu last month, I felt we were going the right way. Unfortunately, that's not the case anymore, and soon it's going to be too late." Somalia is becoming a more violent and chaotic place, though this is not how it was supposed to be. Nearly two months ago, an internationally supported transitional government expelled the Islamist movement that ruled much of the country and steamed into the capital with great expectations. But confidence in the government — never very high — is rapidly bleeding away. Somalia seems to be just shy of total collapse — again — because the Ethiopian troops who provided the muscle to throw out the Islamists have already begun to withdraw, while none of the peacekeepers promised from other African countries have arrived. Hundreds of families are streaming out of Mogadishu, following pitted roads to villages where there is no electricity or medicine, nor the faintest hint of government, but no warfare — at least, not yet. "We can't stand the shelling anymore," said Hassan Mohammed, a father of four headed to a village in the south. There was a brief burst of optimism beginning Dec. 28, when government troops, with serious Ethiopian firepower behind them, marched into Mogadishu and planted the hope that this was the end of nearly 16 years of anarchy and bloodletting. Cheering crowds poured into the ruined streets. Aid experts in Nairobi began circulating ambitious reconstruction plans. Ethiopian and American officials, who worked together to overthrow the Islamists, whom they accused of threatening the entire Horn of Africa, breathed a mutual sigh of relief. But the violence of the past few weeks has killed that mood. A deadly insurgency has started, beginning with a few clans connected to the Islamists and expanding to several more. Many government troops refuse to get involved. "We're not going out there," said Dahir Hassan, a police captain, from the confines of his police station. "If we get hurt, who's going to take care of us?" Analysts agree that the violence will continue and probably intensify unless the government genuinely reconciles with clan leaders, who control what happens in Somalia. But so far, there has been little of that. Instead of reaching out to truly influential figures, analysts say that the government has picked ministers not because they have any substantial support among their clans but because they will do the government's bidding. The result is an increasingly isolated, authoritarian and unpopular government in which the transitional president, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, is accused of behaving more like a clan warlord — which he was — than a national leader. "Where this government is heading is so far from where the international community wants it to go," said Ali Iman Sharmarke, co-owner of the HornAfrik radio station in Mogadishu. A common complaint is that the transitional government is not working itself out of a job as promised. Donor nations agreed to pay the salaries of Somali officials with the understanding that they would shepherd the country to democratic elections in 2009. But there has been almost no progress toward setting up an election commission, let alone taking a census. Many Somalis say they would be more inclined to support, or at least tolerate, the transitional government if they thought that it was, indeed, transitional. To be fair, governing Somalia, which has not had a functioning central government since 1991, is not easy. Thirteen previous governments have been formed — and 13 have failed. Abdirahman Dinari, the chief government spokesman, said that the criticism about the selection of ministers was just an excuse. "These people wouldn't be happy with anyone in power," he said. He conceded that the government did not have the skills to pull the country together. "We need help," he said. But Dinari said that help had been slow to arrive partly because international organizations were spending millions of dollars on Somalia staff based in Kenya, which is deemed a much safer place to work, instead of investing those resources directly in Somalia. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/20/news/somalia.php

We have people who are supporting treacherous murderous leaders. Talk about insulting the human intellect. Some Somalis are not different than the Germans which supported Hitler. They are all brain-dead to function on their own. They were born to be nothing but followers, blind followers at this point. They are no use to the human race. The only people that are entirely lower than Gedi and Yusuf are their supporters! They hit rock-bottom

Other than you and the other clannish individuals, no one really cares about this man’s wellbeing. He could do us all a favor and hold his breath for at least 30 minutes to makes sure that not a single breath is left in his body to exhale.

It is truly sad that a non-Somali knows exactly how a typical Somali should feel and react, while some Somalis are ignoring the cries of their brothers and sisters. America preaches something and does the total opposite. It isn’t a twist of fate that they will attack who they want and support who they want, if you don't heed their orders. One moment they were supporting the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan calling them freedom fighters the other moment they are calling them terrorists. You only become a terrorist or a target when you go against American policy. That is why we have so many behind kissers.

Originally posted by Kamalu Diin: quote:Originally posted by EboniQue: Who I belong to matters not bro, are you saying you can kill people and it will be ok as long as you pray and fast? :confused: I am not a wadaad but I don't think that is right. I am not defending Ayan hersi's actions, what ever she does or believes is between her and the creator. However What I am saying that AY killed so many people and a lot of young people are dying every day because of his actions so why focus on Ayaan hersi, instead focus on the big criminals/Dhiig acab and the biggest Losers of our time. :mad: One can pray, fast and fulfill all the requirement of the faith but only Allah knows where every one is going aka hell or heavan. Sister: I wish you have said 'we should focus USC/ICU' because thier actions have affected every household in Somalia where as Abdulahi yousuf affected just about ten percent of Somalia. Most of Somalis today, including I mayself consider is a hero who come to Mogadishu to end a fire that is still burning. [/QB]Who left the cage open! The Ethiopians and the senile are undesirable guests in Mogadishu.

Taako Don’t compare these warlord organization with Islam, that is just plain wrong. The TFG’s incompetence is known to all. The TFG isn’t an organization which ought to be respected. Sadly, they have done nothing and absolutely nothing for the Somali people and nation. Traitorous individuals have no place in Somali society. So easy with the anti-tfg howling, there is nothing to like about the tfg to begin with. They have created a negative image for themselves. You can’t possibly blame those who notice that unconstructive image.

Originally posted by Taako Man: ^ So showing somebody in a bad light is Pro-TFG? LOOOOOOOL look at your logic missy. Bad way? Please that is their way, whether it is bad or good depends on the person deeds.

^^^ Showing the incompetence and traitorous acts of the TFG doesn’t make them anti-TFG. Keep on wailing like an old lady.

I doubt the TFG owns hiiraan.com taako, there are some opinionated articles which are quite pro-TFG. So enough with your cries, you want everyone and every single site to be completely pro-TFG.

^^^ Yep, every site which shows both sides of the story is anti-TFG. There is nothing good to say about this useless Warlord Government.

Post this rubbish somewhere else! AQ is everywhere, how many soldiers do AQ has, 5 million? How many of them commit suicide? How many of them died in Iraq and Afghanistan? How many of them are in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those are two countries which were attacked by some of the most powerful nations on earth. People AQ is just a bogyman, which the West and the UN uses to attack Muslim countries and people. Hezbollah is Shia and AQ is a Sunning organization, I doubt those two will even be friends or associates.

^^^ what is wrong with saying Puntland? I haven't said puntland as much as you have said USC/ICU.

^^^ he is right, when you say the USC, we all know which clan you are pointing out.

Originally posted by Wiilo: Kamalu Diin THIS GUY IS BREAKING THE GOLDEN RULES OF SOL, AND SHOULD BE BANED BY THE ADMIN. OTHERWISE, WE ARE ALL GOING RO BREAK THE RULES AND THAT SHOULD BE HOW IT IS FROM NOW ON. GO FIGURE:................ There is actually someone who understands kamalu? What Golden Rules have i broken? If the above post wasn't addressed to me, then don't bother answering that question.

kamalu I truly don’t know what you are talking about. The fact remains that the TFG is simply incompetent, the sooner we acknowledge that, the better likelihood we have solving Somalia’s problems. “Order is not pressure which is imposed on society from without, but an equilibrium which is set up from within”. –Josee Ortega Anyone who is enthusiastic, determined and has integrity could bring peace and stability to Somalia. It could be anyone, recognize that Shucayb: this bro is clearly infected with the clan disease.

Originally posted by Kamalu Diin: Mystic I didn't make it for you please go to the I have dream tread. and the likes. We are talking here about the relialities, not dreams. I will go to any thread I please and make my posts. Sadly there is nothing you could do about it. You have deep clan hatred which is crystal clear. Spare us your aged Somali clan mentality.

Peaceful? What nonsense do you speak? You need not blame every problem the TFGoons face with AQ and ICU. If the remnants of the ICU could cause such huge troubles to the TFGoons, then they aren’t fit to govern or rule for that matter.

Why are you posting this twice. You don’t know what you are talking about, hell even i can't understand what you are talking about

kamalu And you are an ignorant individual who has categorized the enemies of the Warlord Government by clan and religion. Somalis such as you are noticeable clowns which amuse people with your God given ignorance.

Wasn’t Somalis able to dream for 17 years, how about we wake-up and face reality for once?

You were imprudent to have hoped that the TFGoons will bring peace to Somalia. This Warlord Government could be flashed down the toilet and the country won’t even change a single bit. Since the TFG was, well what word should I use hmm, since I can’t literally say “elected”, I will go with “appointed” they haven’t done anything that is momentous enough to be held dearly. Appointing few PMs and titles with no authority is not a considerable change.

These Somalis are clan driven. BBCSomali is fair and balanced. And backs their reports with facts which have standing ground. If they have a problem with it, then don’t listen to it or go create a new news radio station which is fair and balance on your status. They need to stop wailing like an old woman, for God's sake.

KEYNAN22 Lol, didn’t you never heard of building someone’s confidence.

Leave it up to the Moonie-owned United Press International to attempt a none-too delicate effort to steer attention away from the fact British covert intel goons killed a cop and bystander and were caught red-handed cruising around Basra in car loaded with explosives and detonators. “Attacks on British forces in southern Iraq may be directed from Iran,” reports the UPI. “The clashes and the arrest of two undercover British soldiers was almost certainly triggered by the arrest at the weekend of Sheikh Ahmed al-Fartusi, the leader of the Mahdi Army, a banned militia loyal to Moqtada al-Sadr.” Indeed, al-Fartusi, commander of al-Mahdi’s militia in Basra, was arrested by the Brits in a Gestapo-like raid, thus leading to “the spread of a great number of members of al Sadr Militia in al Basra streets and the gathering of many of these men near a building in the city center, which contains the headquarters of Al Sadr movement,” explains al-Mendhar News. “Eyewitnesses said that they are still in their locations hiding their weapons. Sheikh Mohamed Al Ka’bi, a member of Al Sadr trend in Baghdad, confirmed, ‘Our office in Al Basra ordered us to remain calm and adopt political means to release our Sheikh and his men.’” Editors on the Moonie payroll grabbed their story from the Times. “Political assassination, murder, smuggling and extortion: the activities of a 50-strong gang of Iraqi policemen in Basra [dubbed the “al-Jameat gang”] whose members seized two British servicemen on Monday were brought to the attention of the Iraqi government six months ago, according to official sources in the city.” claims Anthony Loyd for the Times, not making mention of the fact the arrested “British servicemen” were dressed up as Arabs and driving around in a car packed with weapons and explosives. According to Loyd, this “50-strong gang” of Iraqis, supposedly led by al-Fartusi, is “allegedly connected to a terrorist cell responsible for recent attacks on British units in the city,” a terrorist cell of course linked to Iran. Al-Fartusi’s alleged terrorist cell is said to be a splinter group of the Mahdi Army, whose followers are loyal to Moqtada al-Sadr, the firebrand cleric at the centre of last year’s Shia insurgency. Now more of a populist, political figure, al-Sadr is not believed to have been aware, or in control, of al-Fartusi’s activities. Al-Fartusi, 32, had been sacked from a command position in the Mahdi Army. Iran, however, was aware of his operations. This year an influx of sophisticated shape-charge devices appeared in southern Iraq. New methods and materiel bore the hallmarks of the Iranian-funded Hezbollah movement. Of course, it all makes sense—the irresponsible and impulsive Moqtada al-Sadr, who had the impertinence to go up against the occupation when he should have had the common decency to throw rose petals at the invaders, spawns a break-away gang involved in “assassination, murder, smuggling and extortion,” and these ruthless thugs are naturally linked to Iran and Hezbollah, thus attempting to buttress the oft-demonstrated bogus claim outsiders are running the resistance in Iraq and maybe stirring up trouble amongst pacified Shi’ites in southern Iraq. Instead of an explanation of why the Brits are running a pseudo-gang of phony-baloney terrorists in wigs and headdresses—careless enough to blow their cover and get apprehended red-handed with the goods—the British media is diverting attention away from the exposed truth—the SAS is responsible for at least some, probably a lot of the terrorism in Iraq—and are brazenly attempting to shift blame in the direction of Iran and Hezbollah, two of the usual suspects. It should be obvious the two Brits arrested—and subsequently released after British tanks knocked down the building where they were held—are part of a larger plan to destabilize Iraq and foment civil war. Is it possible the Brits are behind a series of suicide bombings in Basra (73 people were killed and 200 wounded, including the incineration of 17 children, on April 21, 2004, and 68 were killed on June 24, 2004, to name but two) or are we to believe it was the work of the Shi’a-hating al-Zarqawi, determined, as we are told in various audio and video tapes released with curiously appropriate timing, to wipe every Shi’ite Muslim off the face of the earth? “British military intelligence has concluded that Iran has been supporting a local terror group run by Abu Mustafa al-Sheibani, who is blamed for the murder of at least 11 British soldiers. And in a secret report, military intelligence warned commanders that attacks on British forces were being deliberately intensified,” concludes the Moonie Times, excuse me United Press International. Abu Mustafa al-Sheibani is “working for Iran,” warns Time Magazine. “According to a U.S. military-intelligence document obtained by TIME, al-Sheibani heads a network of insurgents created by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps with the express purpose of committing violence against U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq…. the U.S. believes al-Sheibani’s team consists of 280 members, divided into 17 bombmaking teams and death squads. The U.S. believes they train in Lebanon, in Baghdad’s predominantly Shi’ite Sadr City district and ‘in another country’ and have detonated at least 37 bombs [described as “shaped” explosive charges] against U.S. forces this year in Baghdad alone.” Considering the track record of U.S. intelligence—from overthrowing democratically elected governments (in Iran for example) to customizing lies in preparation for the invasion of Iraq—we can trust the al-Sheibani campfire story about as far as we can throw it. In other words, it has about the same degree of veracity as the al-Zarqawi campfire story—that is to say none, since virtually everything the U.S. and its corporate media disinformation ministries write or report about al-Zarqawi is undocumented fear-mongering. As should be obvious, the Iraqi resistance has almost completely stalled the Anglo-American effort to pacify the country and reconstruct (or rather deconstruct) it into an acceptable model for the neocons and their carpet-bagging neolib co-conspirators who entertained high hopes to “structurally adjust” the Iraqi economy and steal its natural resources—not simply oil but also its minerals, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur, hydropower, and other resources of commercially exploitable importance, including cheap human labor. In lieu of the neocon promise that Iraqis would welcome this thievery with open arms, the Bushites and their British collaborators are working to split the country into three distinct pieces along religious and ethnic lines through civil war—and thus SAS goons (and their counterparts in the Pentagon who have yet to stupidly blow their cover) are running around with explosives and detonators, pretending to be al-Zarqawi Arabs engaged in a mindless jihad. Of course, it will not work and the Iraqis will eventually be victorious. Unfortunately, here in America, we have an installed president—not the guy from the fake cowboy ranch in Texas, but the other guy, the chicken hawk from Wyoming—who talks about lobbing around nukes if millions of people (mostly Arabs and Muslims) don’t assume the position. If indeed the Iraqis (and the Iranians) eventually eject the U.S. military from the Middle East (as Hezbollah did in Beirut on October 23, 1983), irradiating the entire region or at least significant portions will become a distinct possibility with the current crew in control of the levers of mass murder. Of course, this would only be an increase in magnitude, since the U.S. has already nuked and poisoned Iraq (and Afghanistan and the former Yugoslavia) with depleted uranium (half-life of 4.5 billion years), a crime that rivals anything the Nazis have done in terms of outright viciousness since Iraqis will be getting sick and dying from various cancers for a very long time to come.

^^ taliban, did you hear, America said it will open a base in Africa, to stop AQ from taking root. They haven't mentioned which country they are going to have their base at. But i am willing to bet that it is non other than Somalia.