By Sahra Abdi Ahmed KISMAYU, Somalia, Feb 11 (Reuters) - An explosion tore through a military ceremony in southern Somalia on Sunday, killing at least four people and wounding more than 20 others, including senior officers and police commanders, witnesses said. The attack on Kismayu's Independence Gardens was the latest post-war bloodshed in the Horn of Africa nation, which has endured almost daily violence since government forces backed by Ethiopian armour ousted an Islamist movement in January. "There was a blast and people started running for their lives, all shouting 'bomb!, bomb!'," said Mohamed Daud, who was in the crowd. "Police started firing in all directions...Most of the wounded are civilians." Another witness, Abdulahi Mohamed, said he saw the bodies of two traditional elders, a civilian and a government soldier. A Reuters reporter at the ceremony, held to welcome visiting military officers to the city, said south Somalia's police chief, Gen. Ahmed Mohamed, was injured in the legs and face by shrapnel. Four army colonels were among at least 24 people wounded. Many in the crowd were trampled as people fled. One senior military official in Kismayu blamed Islamic extremists, and told reporters several people had been arrested on suspicion of involvement. "Al Qaeda was behind this attack," he said, without giving any more details. Speaking by telephone from Baidoa town, the interim government's defence minister, Abdikadir Adan Shire, confirmed people had died, but said he had not yet received a full report. The government says Islamist hardliners and some of their foreign supporters have launched near-daily mortar, rocket and gun attacks since the religious movement fled to the bush. MOUNTING VIOLENCE Kismayu, the last town the Islamists held, had been relatively peaceful. But three weeks ago, unidentified gunmen killed an Ethiopian soldier and wounded another in a shootout in the port, which lies 300 km (185 miles) south of Mogadishu. Most attacks have hit the capital, where residents say some of the recent violence may have been caused by feuding warlords who quickly returned to the city after the Islamists left. At least three children were killed in Mogadishu on Saturday -- one when two rocket-propelled grenades were fired into the restaurant of a hotel hosting reconciliation talks. The Islamists ruled most of the south by strict sharia law for about six months. The country has been without central rule since dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991. Diplomats have urged the world to back and fund an African Union (AU) mission to stabilise Somalia, but only about 4,000 troops have so far been pledged of the 8,000 called for. Uganda was the first country to offer soldiers, but its parliament still has to ratify that. Nigeria and Burundi have also expressed willingness to contribute. Demonstrators in the capital have threatened to attack any peacekeepers sent to their country, and the mounting violence has stoked fears in many African capitals that an AU mission could be targeted by Muslim radicals. The United States, which has acknowledged launching two air strikes on southern Somalia last month targeting al Qaeda suspects among fugitive Islamists, is strongly backing the idea of an African force in a nation it fears could be a haven for militants. source

Abu Geeljire, you have a great quote as your signature, where's it from?

What a refreshing argument. This takes me back to my optimistic days which are now vading by the day. Don't get me wrong i have not given up yet though not as enthusiastic about it. I have done 2x degrees in the feild of construction and have been practising for about four years. I feel i could do something of use, but will i ever get the chance. I am bothered with QABIIL but the lack of stability and lack of willingness. First of all Masha-allah, you have achieved much. Brother, qabiil is the chronic illness Somalia suffers from, and it will persist for a long while yet. However i am glad that it and Somalia's other problems haven't curbed your enthusiasm in returning. My advice to you would be, to concentrate on your career, and your family. Somalia today has no framework in which to encompass engineers such as you. You are young, and insha-allah you will have a long time to enhance your skills, and your capabilities. The more you accomplish, the more you can contribute towards tomorrow's rebuilding.

I think i have started this thread in the wrong section. The rebuilding of Somalia is in our hands, whether we decide to rise to the challenge or not. We can continue to ignore the future of Somalia, or we can properly put this issue on our personal agenda's and work towards a succesful return, in which each individual contributes to the huge task ahead of future Somali generations, including our own. There is no doubt that we have our own personal issues, responsibilities, ambitions. However returning to Somalia, and taking part in its reconstruction should be a personal dream in all of us. I just wanted to spark a discussion regarding how and when each of us aspire to return, and how we plan to make a difference. I think i shall introduce this topic in the general forum, so more of us are aware of it, and perhaps add their views to it.

My genuine congratulations to my friend Conspiracy, may your reign be long and rewarding!! btw, now youre able to carry out that thing i wanted doing, aren't you?

Alle Ubaahne, i'm sure you didnt put yourself forward as a hero on purpose I also salute the SOL heroes including, among many, Castro, Xiinfaniin, Sh. Nur, Alle-ubaahne , Xoogsade, Taliban,

lol, i think no2 should be 'I wakan'. I tend to use no1 myself.

Centurion is suffering from 'Diaspora nationalism' Nay, Castro, i may have romantic notions of the meaning of Somalinimo, but it isn't diaspora related, rather it is inherited.

lol, Castro we are debating in circles around the abstract idea of 'Somalinimo'. I think it's much more than our identity,perhaps i'm reading more into it, but to me it signifies a special love of one's country, a loved entity one's been seperated from for 16 hard years, and who's 'fragrance' reaches us daily in our 'homes' in the Diaspora. I think the harbouring of a realistic dream to return is an integral part of 'Somalinimo', or should be in any case, in all of us. The factors you have mentioned alas, do decide whether you return or not. However Somalinimo will gnaw at those who don't, for like i said it compels us to return to Wadenkeena Hooyo. Xiin you have a way with words, i see . Somali politics today is ironic in its primitiveness, for we see ourselves as superior in intellect to other Africans. We alone are forever stuck in a whirlpool of clannism and anarchy whilst others we see as somehow a baser people are grasping the reins of governance and establishing some sort of organisation in their societies. I agree with Xiin, what individual groups achieve in Somalia is not something to be particularly proud of, but something which should inspire a sense of melancholy in us, for though we don't lack potential, we lack the tool to temper it with; unity.

Castro, i beg to differ. Somalinimo is exactely what i am talking about. Somalis in the diaspora come in two groups. A) Those who feel returning is not an option, and see no reason to do so. This group integrates much more into the societies they live in. B) Those like me and you, who see returning as imperative. The group to whom 'Somalinimo' is extremely important. This group again seperates into two, those who are actively seeking to return, and those who are tied down by other responsibilites, but who are just as passionate to return. The circumstances you have just listed, bring forward or put back the re-settlements of particularly those in your boat. Somalinimo is the what compels us to return, when and how are less significant.

can i see your source for that statistic please? David, that was not a statistical fact, but an obvious observation. i think your assumption of them ''not considering a return'' is a fallacy cause under ICU rule there was a whole chunk of Somalis returning returning is a must for me It is true, many people are returning, but many more have given up actively seeking to return. Even more important, almost none are preparing to return with skills and knowledge gained from living in more developed countries. I do not doubt that many relatively younger Somalis 'entertain' (as Castro puts it) the idea of returning, but i am cynical as to how important it is to them. For me it is extremely important, glad it is the same to you. Castro, i hope those educated or being educated today, do more than entertain the thought of returning. Certainly, people become attached to their places they call home today, and become more tied to it over the years due to things like children and marriage. However i do not see those as factors which can neccesarily result in a waning in the desire to return to one's own country. Perhaps, to most people those factors will result in a return being delayed, or temporarily forgotten. But the desire never ceases to exist, even if some find themselves never returning. However at the end of the day, it all depends on how important Somalia or Somalinimo is to each individual.

But isn’t that a relegating act to have destroyed your beautiful capital and come and seek to flourish in other people’s ghettos? Why are we content with living out our lives in a country not our own? Although we are quite happy to wave around miniature flags, and wear patriotic t-shirts, why is more than 80% of the Diaspora not actively considering how they'll return to their country?

Its too make-shift. Something like this has the potential to be THE social phenomenon which puts the Nation's recovery back on track, and hence should be more than a mere workshop.

It'll take a whole lot more than a 'workshop'.

Who's that asian dude, Awees?

You’ve all become mini-fascists and use the education and articulation you have gained abroad to further the same old tired disastrous divisions and small mindedness. Bokero, some of what you say certainly rings true. Yet this is no new phenomenon. Many who have benefited from the boons of living in Western society are using their gained 'education and articulation' not to seek and advocate unity, but rather stupidly, drive further rifts between us, in their pursuit of selfish goals. Nevertheless, (perhaps naively) i am optimistic we are not genetically pre-disposed to division. I think our past can be learnt from, and i genuinely believe the future is bright....if we can but unite for the greater good.

lol...why is this in the Women's section?

YOU are NOT speaking on BEHALF of SOMALIS in SOMALIA. Lol, and you are? As a 'Somalilander' you shouldn't even be on this forum. Pray, what does a secessionist care about the sufferings and cares of the people of Somalia? Do you not know, when you ask for secession, it is not of land only, but it also includes the people? So how can you imply that you are on the same side as reer Xamar? Surely the inhabitants of a foreign capital have naught to do with you? Oh and by the way, what do you hope to achieve with the use of words such as 'wiilo' 'kiddo', 'kid' towards everybody you argue with? Do you think this futile attempt at patronising others adds to your argument? Nay, it but makes you look more the fool. It shows you cannot debate earnestly. On the topic of Riyaale. Riyaale is the parasite keeping the Rer Wuqooyi on their knees, they cannot do without him, because he adds to their 'legitimacy' and somehow 'proves' that Somaliland isn't a one clan enclave, which it practically is. I believe Riyaale when the right carrot is dangled before him, will sell out 'Somaliland', before you can shout 'SNM'!

Mujaahid first of all, do not contradict yourself.In response to my post you categorised enemies and used my source to match it with what the Quran said. Let me remind you of what you wrote.. As for the story,it doesnt' matter,since that is what I would do if I killed one of my enemies anyways. You blatantly stated you'd commit henious acts upon your enemy, and their bodies without any distinction. It's my choice to punish them or to spare them. You said this, and now you'd have us believe that you'd follow the Islamic guidelines. The so called Police officer fits into these category for being 'hypocrite' munaafiq. With which authority do you presume to call a fellow muslim soul a munaafiq? A man is not a muunafiq if he beliefs Amxaar intervention is for the greater good. Perhaps he is but a simple man who was offered a job as a policeman, and who accepted in order to feed his family? Perhaps he is from TFG forces, but even then you do not know what is in his heart. Regarding you're quote on treatment of infidels who 'wage war against God and his Apostle'. It is very dangerous and dhanbi to quote the Quran out of context, and that is what you are doing. Amxaaro are not mindlessly killing Somalis for their religion. And neither are they waging war on the Prophet (SAW). Furthermore, respect to the dead is compulsary in Islam. Dragging around the corpses of those Allah took is inhuman and indecent. At least those rightly cruxified will have deserved their punishment, and their corpses would be buried properly. It is utterly worthy of contempt, the desecration of the dead.

However,my position is that enemies shouldnt' be shown any mercy.There is no where in the Quran or Hadith that can DENY the fact that I can punish my enemy and torture them.Its' a choice.I have already given you reasons above to read regarding the treatment that an enemy deserves. Mujaahid, you show ignorance. Are we animals when we totally cease being humane? Muslims since the dawn of Islam were known for their chivalry, take the Prophet (SAW) for example, he conquered Mecca without spilling a drop of blood, he freed those within, even though they killed and persecuted Muslims. Take the Ottoman Sultans for example, take Salaxu-Diin Al Ayoubi, heralded by Christian Crusaders as a noble Prince! Animals do what they wish with those they overpower, humans show mercy and preserve the dignity of the ill-fortuned. Regarding your false statement that the Quran does not forbid torture, follow this link: Islam on Torture

breathtaking events I hardly call a cadre of horizontally challenged women wailing, some dressed up old men, and some flag 'n Yeey waving breathtaking.

nervous chick is right, Iraqis die by the scores every day. And what is disconcerting is that we hardly bat an eyelid at news headlines from Iraq anymore. I like the Scarface quote btw.

typical Somali fractiousness the Somali nation's bane.

a joy to read, geeljire. I'm embaressed to admit i didn't know the 'saracens' reached Sicily. I should've known though, at that time in history much of the mediteranean was under Arab control. i was aware of their invasion of Cyprus ( then later invaded by the Ottomans), but not of Sicily.

A source would be great, yaa Maakhir, for the first article.