Castro, the TFG 'invited' the amxaar into our country. But as me and you and most Somali's can see, this is more of an invasion than 'support for the TFG'.

Some pictures of TFG troops. Can you give me the size of the TFG force? Can you tell me of towns they have wrested of UIC hands on their own, without being surrounded by Amxaaro forces? From what i know the Amxaaro are not only the largest military force in the country, but also the best equipped.

The TFG is now the strongest power in Somalia Incorrect, the strongest power in Somalia today is the Ethiopian Army.

other option was the TFG really given? Lieutenant, inviting Ethiopian troops into Somalia is NEVER an option. I know there are a number of Somalis on this forum, and no doubt around the world. Who believe the TFG can be forgiven for opening the backdoor for Amxaaro, that it is justified, that the UIC are the black Taliban etc. These people are all qabiilist, westernised fools. They believe Secularism is the way ahead for Somalia, and see themselves as doing the right thing for Somalia's future. Pitiful fools. True,the TFG was hiding in Baydabo, with no power to speak of. True, the UIC was uncompromising. However these facts have been used as a pretext to justify Amxaaro military intervention, and the TFG thinks to reap the benefits, but all they will win is the ruins Amxaaro forces leave behind, and an extremely hostile population. The Amxaaro are not in Somalia to do 'help' the TFG, they are there to annihilate any 'terrorist threat', they do not care about how many they kill, rape, infect with AIDS, or the damage they leave behind. There is NO JUSTIFICATION for any Somali entity to invite Amxaaro into our country to war upon other Somalis.

True Somalia will always be an irrendentist state, until we get back what is rightfully ours. Some people here are overestimating Ethiopia's capability. Ethiopia cannot 'colonise' Somalia. It's true, Ethiopia's current military expense is most likely being underwritten by Uncle Sam, but that will not last. Ethiopia will do whatever damage it can do for the next couple months at most, and retreat.

The AU is an absolute farce, full stop. To prevent an Islamic entity taking over the country, Ethiopia has waged this war and used the pretext of Jihad to justify it. The UIC has neither the weaponry or the expertise at this point to be a significant terrorist threat to Ethiopia. the Ethiopian army (ENDF), consist of 150 000 experienced soldiers, whilst the UIC currently has but 10 000 active soldiers. The UIC claims not to be harbouring terrorists, and until proven otherwise, this cannot be a justification for invading the country.

The news so far, is very interesting. By all acounts Duke is not lying, Amxaaro(I do not know of any TFG participation) have had victories in the aforementioned towns. However, it is foolish to write off the UIC already, they have shown to be able in the battles of Xamar against the Warlords, and their formidable conquering of half of Somalia. Military history also teaches us not to write off the enemy until total annihilation is achieved. On top of that UIC seems to be regrouping, and have the support of the people (whatever Duke may say so) and so far, are following guerilla tactics (Guerilla forces when initially assailed often retreat from the superior enemy and regroup.) It seems they have grasped their first couple of lessons from Syria properly. Lets wait and see....

I actually own the book, but i haven't read it yet. I think it may be about time..

So how deep is this rift in the UIC? If it is significant, UIC might collapse as a result of this war, and seperate into its different elements; the moderate realists and the 'extremists'. And then we return to anarchy.

I never ceased to be amazed of how (some)Somalis of all people can support the Amxaaro. Do they not realise the only victor in this case is Ethiopia?

You're right Bilan. I forgot to add the option 'Have not gone to University'.

Like i've said before, the ICU is riding on a wave of populist sentiment, with the surfboard being Deen( a twisted one, some corners murmur).And will stay a powerful force in Somalia as long as has such public support. The ICU has now engaged the country in a 'jihad' with the Amxaar-supported TFG. The initial skirmishes show gains for the superior Amxaar military force. My question to you is, what do you predict will happen to the ICU, during and after this war? Is the ICU, here to stay? Will it survive, albeit wounded, and stall the TFG's attempts at taking control of the country? If yes, will the TFG be forced to compromise, and how much compromising are we talking? Will the ICU be annihilated by the Amxaaro and the TFG? So in that case can we expect a long-term presence of Ethiopian troops? Do you expect, if the ICU actually wins this war, US intervention? Or even a UN peacekeeping force? Or will will the ICU be free to march into Baydhabo? So all in all, what do you think the future might hold, whichever side wins this war?

34 people have now entered the poll. Once again, the most dominant age is 21-30 Most SOL members go to university, however 35% of those have not been able to specify what types of degrees they're studying for. Probably because i've missed one big category of degree...is it Law/Social or healthcare studies/Geography & history? It would be great if those of you who haven't been able to specify what you study posted in here to describe what it is. Ok, stats also say: 75% of those who've entered this poll, plan to return to their country. 20% never want to go back. 45%, though, plan to return within the next 10 years.

I've watched a documentary about that 'dutch' writer from a couple of pages back. She went back to Somalia, and boy is she ******! i couldn't believe how dutch she was/became. They way she talked, described, walked was as if she was a white dutch journalist. her Somali is broken and she has this really condescending tone of voice. anyway Isn't it interesting that all the women so far, bar the physician-girl, are all older women? Where are our younger lasses?

lol, not where i'm from.

Taliban, tell me where have i alleged the ICU is recruiting 'toddlers'? i have far better things to do than to argue with the likes of you. The fact thatt you insist in writing your flawed statements in large green writing tells me all i need to know about you. You my friend, should be wearing motley.

from the political whirlwind in Somalia, there is no clear entity which has my complete support. Although at the moment i'm leaning slightly towards the ICU. The reason for that is the refreshing and significant changes it has wrought in the cemetary that was Mogadishu. Although i recognise the populist sentiment wave it rides on, i have to say, being a patrioc Somali, i am endeared to their 'jihad'. A jihad, although popular, a diplomatic flaw on their part. The TFG, on the other hand, have nothing to incline me to support them in the least. In fact, i agree with Xiin, that they are weak, and weakening, and might dissolve in the hands of their main ally, Ethiopia. It worries me no end, as to why the TFG called upon the support of the Ethiopians in the first place. And i do not know, who will be taking advantage of who, in this 'evil' relationship, although my money is on the established government of Ethiopia. The TFG, also has been responsible of a number of political flaws. One of the largest being the perpetual cry for foreign (more precisely from IGAD) military support. Surely, they can see this is a major error on their part, did they think they'd gain the support of even one true Somali, in this way? The TFG is the one who needs to compromise. And it can do so by first of all annuling this 'marriage' with Ethipia (Yes, i do think it is a pre-requisite for dialogue), and ceasing this constant cry for military help. Yes, i do realise these are drastic measures, but drastic times call for drastic measure, as they say. The ICU, needs to disperse its amassed forces which are currently flanking Baydhabo, and at most leave a token force. Then talks can be initiated...in Xamar ( i can feel pro-TFG's flinching away from their computer-screens). All that is needed is to call open the 'honour' of the ICU to ensure complete security. I know many of you would say that the tainted honour of the ICU is but a meager compensation for the hides of the TFG. But i genuinely believe the ICU will want to desperately ensure no mishaps occur. I honestly believe dialogue in Xamar, will have particular significance. These are the first of many compromisies (on both sides) i think neccesary, to prevent Somalia spiralling into further chaos.

Indeed, women and teenagers have carried guns before. But these pictures show very small children <8, who couldn't possibly use a firearm, with kalashnikovs. We see women with Hijaabs policing crowds with kalashnikovs. These are both new sights, and since these pictures are from Xamar, the conclusion is that it due to, or tolerated by the UIC. Also, you still haven't explained why you insist on writing in large green font.

Whats with the green and large font, Taliban? Pi, to me ugly is the word that comes to mind. Those tools of death taint the beauty otherwise radiating from our women and children. And i do not think i have seen such small children and women sport kalashnikovs before, it seems to have arisen during this UIC era, which is quite worrying.

You've underlined some of the many reasons why i personally i am behind the UIC. May they always be righteous. you might have added: (13) They have declared they will defend the country from any illegal intrusion by any foreign entity.

I agree. Hard to distinguish whether he's 'british' or somali, with it on.

I tell you what i find ugly, Somali women with guns. But beautiful pictures nonetheless, but i guess for someone in the diaspora, pictures of home are mostly always beautiful.

lol, i just read this whole thread, and it really cracked me up. Now i want to add my six-pence worth. FGM, being not a neccesary thing in Islam, i personally think it's an ignorant cultural habit of ours. Somali women, are confident and know what they want and need, and if any feel sexually unsatisfied due to not having the full kit,as it were, then i'm perfectly happy with them getting things corrected downstairs. Also, i don't think talking about this is wrong, for as someone rightly said on page 2, we are allowed to discuss scientific issues, and anatomy is just that. We are not being vulgar.

lo, Underdog you're quite a ladies' man. Stop with the verbal abuse, girls won't like you better for it. And cynical girl, it's best not to shout out your preferences if they're going to be materialistic.

Urban legend, if u look like that Newcastle player, u aint white