Where there's smoke there's fire!!

UPI TEL AVIV, Israel, March 9 (UPI) -- Israel is struggling to keep its diplomatic friends in Africa as Iran makes a determined effort to expand its influence there, making the continent an emerging theater in the Iran-Israel confrontation. But these days the Jewish state has a new ally, Kenya, which wants Israeli help to fight the growing menace of jihadist terrorism emanating from war-torn Somalia, Kenya's northern neighbor where jihadists linked to al-Qaida are active. Israel is also seeking a foothold in the turbulent Horn of Africa to guard the approaches of the Red Sea. This is a vital shipping route and the access to the Arabian Sea for missile-armed Israeli submarines to target Iran should hostilities erupt. It is also used by Iran to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip via Sudan and Egypt. The Kenyans have suffered three major attacks by al-Qaida in recent years -- the suicide bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi on Aug. 7, 1998, and twin attacks Nov. 28, 2002, in Mombasa, the bombing of a hotel frequented by Israelis and a missile attack on an Israeli airliner. Kenyan Minister of Internal Security George Saitoti asked for Israeli counter-terrorism assistance when he visited Jerusalem in February. According to media reports, he told Israeli leaders: "The jihad is taking over Somalia and threatening to take over Kenya and all of Africa. No one is more experienced than you in fighting internal terrorism." These reports said the Israelis responded by saying they were prepared to consider establishing a joint force with Kenya to guard its northwestern border to prevent terrorist infiltration. Somalia's al-Shebab Islamist movement, which is fighting a Western-backed transitional government in Mogadishu, has repeatedly threatened to attack Kenya for allegedly training Somali troops. According to the Jamestown Foundation, a U.S. think tank that monitors jihadist militancy, "The talks with Kenya appear to be part of a growing Israeli interest in the Horn of Africa." In early February, Yigal Palmor, spokesman for Israel's Foreign Ministry, reportedly told the Somalia media that Israel was prepared to recognize the breakaway territory of Somaliland, which split from Somalia in 1991, as an independent nation. If that happened, Israel would be the first country to recognize Somaliland, which is strategically located on the Gulf of Aden. There have been reports, all unconfirmed, that Israel has its eye on setting up a naval outpost at the port of Berbera to monitor the approaches to the Red Sea. The Soviet military established a naval port there in 1969 during the Cold War, along with an airfield capable of handling all types of military and cargo aircraft. Last June, one of the Israeli navy's German-built Dolphin class submarines, reputedly able to carry nuclear-armed missiles, transited the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean into the northern end of the Red Sea for "exercises." That was generally seen as a warning to Iran as Israeli warships usually have to take the long route from the Mediterranean via the Cape of Good Hope to reach the Red Sea. Two Saar 5-class missile ships followed in July to beef up the Israeli presence in the waterway. According to several Internet reports, two more Israeli warships passed through the canal in recent weeks into the Red Sea. Israel's Defense Ministry declined comment. In the 1950s and '60s, Israel cultivated links with many of the post-colonial African states because they provided considerable diplomatic support in the United Nations and other internal forums, usually in exchange for military and agricultural support. That changed amid a swell in pro-Arab sentiment following the Middle Eastern wars of 1967 and 1973. More recently, Iran has been buying off some of Israel's erstwhile allies in a systematic effort to spread Tehran's influence in the Third World. Last year, Mauritania, one of the few Arab League members to have relations with Israel, told it to close its embassy in the capital, Nouakchott, after Iran moved in. Iran's clout in central and west Africa is also heightened by the presence of large and influential communities of Lebanese Shiites who are generally sympathetic to Hezbollah. They dominate the diamond trade in the region, which provides considerable funds for the Iranian-backed movement. However, in recent months, Israel has been building military and intelligence links with Ethiopia, Nigeria and other African states.

Che, this is a serious matter through if the UN Security Council is coming out with a report that is accusing President Faroole of this!!! I wonder what evidence they have to make this allegation!

Originally posted by Jacaylbaro: Juje ....... Remember, this was yesterday as well: They just come, visit some countries, get some pictures with famous leaders then end up somewhere in torabrra ,, And in NW Somalia, the leader never leaves, he clings on to power indefinitely!! Diverting the peoples attention by claiming recognition is on the way!

The report also said that the president of Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in northern Somalia, has extensive ties to pirates in the area, who then funnel some of the money they make from hijacking ships to authorities . Interesting! I think the ties were severed after President Faroole attained the Presidency! Eyl was set up to give Puntland a bad name, now it seems that the plan has back fired! We will wait and see if there is a response on Garoweonline or if they'll just ignore it!

You are right! I think they just want to start an argument when they post a thread like this with no source!

There isn't a region in Somalia that hasn't!!! In fact there are many Somalis from the "O" working for Ethiopia and handing over their own people! During the fight against Siad Barre every rebel group used Ethiopia as an ally! This thread is purposely blaming Puntland and provides no evidence!

Originally posted by The Zack: ^ooh I see u r more concerned on the word "puntland" and not the life sentence of this somali man. Gartay gartay. I am very concerned with that the word Puntland! Especially when the claims are baseless! Zack not everyone that is arrested and sentenced is innocent, some are actually guilty! Lets wait and see tomorrow what this evidence is!

Originally posted by The Zack: ^the man has been sentenced to life, that is a fact, why would someone make these kinds of stuff up? Because of the title of the thread, which says that the man was handed over by "Puntland!" If you are going to accuse the state of doing this, than atleast provide evidence!

Originally posted by Abtigiis & Tusbax: You will hear it later. I have a source. It is from Addis Ababa. Apparently, websites qualify as the only source of evidence in the Eastern horizon. Wait till tomorrow. For now, treat is as a breaking news! I think it is more than reasonable to ask for a source when a person makes such a bold thread! To say that you are going to get it tomorrow and treat it as breaking news, should not even be posted! You are once again attacking Puntland's Government without credible evidence. When you produce it, than we can discuss it. One other thing, Are you telling us to wait until tomorrow for the source, because you(or your friends) are working on the article?

I know you are expecting this, but do you have a source?

JB, the man has been in power for a little over a year and has met many world leaders, just like past presidents! He didnt just break away and make an enclave of his family! This is proof that over the years, only the government in Mogadishu is accepted by the rest of the world.

You might claim that is his car, but internationally we know who get's more respect! What you secessionists would give an arm and a leg for!

Somalia is my country, from it's borders with Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya!! self declared enclaves are not recognized by me or any other country in the world.

Why shouldn't I be concerned with my countries failure or successes? Of course I follow what's going on in Somalia! Thanks for the pics, I missed this! If only the south focused on buildings things also!

The aviation minister and the Mayor of the city went on a visit to China last month to meet with this company. The Chinese have now come to observe before work can be started. Is there any pics of them travelling to China? There are many pics of the group arriving in Hargeysa, are their any pics of the aviation minister and mayor visiting China?

Originally posted by *ANWAR*: I think they are tourists Maybe, It's weird that so many of them have digital camera's on them. Plus we know China and their whole Taiwan issue, they would never recognize breakaway enclaves!

Originally posted by Qudhac: sool marches on, with the argagixiso beaten the local government is making huge strides with the help of the local population. Xubnaha garsoorka gobolka sool oo maanta si rasmi ah loo dhaariyay Saribad 2aad oo loogu tala galay khudaarta ayaa saaka la dhagax dhigay construction of a brand new police station + meeting of ministers in LA None of these links show "huge strides"! The building of a police station is of course good but your title is misleading.

Originally posted by xiinfaniin: Somaliland has no diplomatic ties with Israel but lately there has been a huge interest between the two nations. If Israel recognises Somaliland, it could pave the way for international recogniton in particular among the Western nations whom Israel has close ties with. The place wouldn't be as interesting without this kind of random comedy!

LOOOOOOOOOOOL, Why is it that there is no media from Israel or the Arab league mentioning any of this? Only nwsomaliapress is. Forget about recognition, none of their media even mention you at all! If the Arab league expresses concern, where can I find this? Beside from one of your enclaves websites?

I think if it was President Faroole it would have happened back in December when the Faarax visited NW Somalia. I think is just one of his political enemies capitalizing on this oppurtunity. The man had no right to visit that region and speak as if they are seperate form Somalia. That's not their countries stance on the issue and he needs to remember that. He forgot who he works for and stuck his nose somewhere it shouldn't have been. Politics is a dirty game and people just wait for you to mess up! He was careless and is now going to have to answer for it. What he did could have potentially destabilized the region because different groups in Somalia can't just breakaway and say they are a country.

Baadiyow, From my understanding the people suing Samatar are doing it trough civil court and want financial compensation. In my eye that is not justice for the orphans and the countless innocent people that died. There needs to be a comprehensive complaint made to The Hague against all of our suspected criminals. Time is running out, they are getting old! Many of the leaders today were part of the regime and were under Siad's payroll. They will never allow even one investigation to start up at The Hague because they know it could back fire and their past will come to light! That's why the so-called butcher of Hargeysa has never been! Because some of his security apparatus are now leaders in NW Somalia! If we are going to look for justice we need to do it the right way where all suspected war-criminals are brought forward, no matter where they may be.

Humans are naturally opinionated and have their bias towards certain things and since all law was created by them, the laws themselves will never be perfect. That is why in American African Americans are more likely to be convicted then Whites. But this has little to do with the bias in the law, but rather the bias in those who are accusing. Well atleast David Rawson, the U.S. deputy chief of mission in Somalia from 1986 to 1988, feels this way to.

Something of topic, but AfricanOwn have you ever been to Hargeysa or your enclave?

I agree, but I just think now others will start acting up so they'll get a position.