Documents and Analysis: Clan Wars with Religious Coloration [Puntland]

[NASSIR]

Clan Wars with Religious Coloration

 

August 12, 2010

 

In mid 2001, Abdullahi Yusuf convened numerous news conferences in which he declared that Al-Ittihad [al-Islami] organization had bases in Shimbiraale, located in Somalia`s Northeastern Region, Puntland; and Al-Ittihad had links with Osama Bin Ladin, the man claimed by the Americans to be a terrorist. Abdullahi Yusuf said “This Al-Ittihad move to undermine the existing democratically-elected administration is a recipe for civil war in a regional state known for peace and stability.”

 

Abdullahi Yusuf also loudly stated, “Puntland State of Somalia shall not accept the installation of a radical, fundamentalist and extremist regime, as it will not allow the expansion of Arta faction to the territory of this state.”

 

Given the primacy of the “War on Terror” in the Western World and in neighboring countries, one might expect Somali regional leaders/and warlords` declarations to be given some attention. Subsequently, a group of journalists, including Americans, has visited Shimbiraale, where Abdullahi Yusuf cited as hosting a camp to train terrorists. However, Yusuf`s claims have turned out to be false. One of the journalists interviewed by the BBC said Shimbiraale hosted Somalis who were fishermen. The journalists said there were no camps for training terrorists.

 

As any other Somali warlord/politician, Abdullahi Yusuf, charged against his rivals of undermining the peace and stability of the region, labeling them as agents of terror groups. In addition, what made Abdullahi Yusuf so furious, satirically, was that his rivals were following his footsteps: organizing a pseudo-government in which the so-called House Members (66 members from different clans) has so far the right to select Puntland leader.

 

In fact, when Abdullahi Yussuf`s three-year term ended in mid 2001, he attempted to stay on until he was overthrown in August 26, 2001, by local elders and militias. The elders declared Abdullahi Yusuf`s extension of mandate null and void. He was kicked out of Bosasso and Garowe towns. Abdullahi Yusuf retaliated by accusing Al-Ittihad [al-Islami] of being behind his ouster. He also maintained to be the legitimate president of Puntland, claiming that he was running the Puntland regional administration affairs from Galkayo.

 

To counter Yusuf`s propaganda, a number of Puntland elders at Garowe released statements, underlining the false reports about Al-Ittihad bases in Puntland. They said “there are no members or bases of Al-Ittihad religious group in the region.” Their factual statements fell on deaf ears. If there are training camps, where? The country is an arid piece of real estate, not known for hiding places.

 

In fact, the Ethiopian involvement in Puntland conflicts has been coming to surface gradually since early 2001. In late November 2001, Ethiopia`s covert military contacts with Abdullahi Yusuf have become an open secret when it sent a convoy of eight trucks to Galkayo. With the aid of Ethiopian military machine, Abdullahi Yusuf fought on his way to regain power.

 

 

From these factual references to the brief glimpse of the current Galgala debacle in Puntland, Roobdoon Forum attempts to underline a parallel in the new developments of President Abdirahman Farole`s Administration, where its recent military successes stipulated the reruns of  Abdullahi Yusuf`s 2001-2002 Jiffo supremacy shows. It is clear that Puntland rulers, in terms of progress, do not seriously think of the importance of good governance that calls for a dialogue. The basic idea of effective administration still remains alien to the inhabitants of Puntland. The Forum is also skeptical about the ability of the Puntland leadership to defuse social fragmentation. So far, Puntland has for the most part failed to satisfy people`s expectations; it serves primarily the sub-clan interests of those who are in charge of it.

 

The Administration seems to enter a similar if not more dreading stage; all it will bring again is Yusuf`s modus operandi of prolonging sub-clan power struggles. To some extent, Puntland will become the turf to exact old wounds.

 

The Forum is keenly aware of Farole`s clannish Administration, now masquerading under the false pretenses of secular, pro-Western entity, and therefore anticipates that the transforming of clan conflicts into a religious one is a chameleon-like ploy – and that old fashion clan loyalty awaits to resume.

 

The current Galgala conflict, instigated by Farole, is indeed a war with religious coloration. The conflict is also similar to the early 2000s Puntland wars in terms of its hidden incentive. Farole is probably driven by the notion of Jiffo supremacy as well as grabbing **********`s strategic territories/ resources, in order to secure the full control of the long road between Garowe and Bosasso.

 

Read more compliation of Reports and Analysis

[General Duke]

Garad Cali Ciid, General Ilkajiir, Abdi-Jamaal are all fighting their own clan?

 

Attam is defending his clan from these men?

 

Nonsense

[Xudeedi]

The current Galgala conflict, instigated by Farole, is indeed a war with religious coloration. The conflict is also similar to the early 2000s Puntland wars in terms of its hidden incentive. Farole is probably driven by the notion of Jiffo supremacy as well as grabbing **********`s strategic territories/ resources, in order to secure the full control of the long road between Garowe and Bosasso.

Amazing how Roobdoon Forum integrated mystrious puzzle pieces into their analysis.

 

Good Job

[Thankful]

Again! This article fails to mention that Atam said in an audio interview that he considers a terrorist group his brothers and that they are us and we are them!

 

 

But yeah, I never though Eastern Sanaag's Diaspora would become this desperate.

 

Mr. Atam has been quickly defeated and Puntland government officials were able to tour his former base the next day. If Atam had the backing of his clan, he would still be in his base and the government wouldn’t have step foot anywhere near W.Bari or E. Sanaag! The fact that Puntland has been able to move so deep into these area's with easy is proof who the clan of that region is siding with! I admit it's radical Diaspora is trying to instigate this into something it is not, but just look at Ilka-Jiir and Abdisamid leading the charge, would they have gotten that deep into these area’s if the clan objected to what they were doing? Would Atam be retreating if he had their backing?

 

As well this is a military operation that is taking place in the mountains, where Atam's men have the advantage since they are at the top. I am surprised that the casualties haven't been higher! They must be very poorly trained!

[General Duke]

^^^One asks who are the writters of these articles trying to convince?

[NASSIR]

Past Fabrications and Mass propoganda arrayed against legitimate oppositions

 

Islamic movement declares holy war against Puntland leader

August 25, 2001

 

Text of report in English by Somali pro-Puntland web site AllPuntland.com on 24 August

 

We, the joint

Mujahidin forces of Al-Ittihad Somalia Islamic Movement,

and the newly formed armed groups, the Total Liberation Tigers (TSLT), under the command and leadership of Lt-

Col Jama Ali Jama,

have begun, this week, a long awaited struggle and war to overthrow the pro-Ethiopian regime of Abdullahi Yusuf, the so-called president of Puntland.

 

Our holy war, jihad, against Abdullahi Yusuf has now reached its biggest success. We captured this week the strategic port of Boosaaso in the northeast Somalia, and are now heading to liberate the rest of the region.

 

In an attempt to recapture the port of Boosaaso the Puntland darvich [as published] police supported by Ethiopian military advisers, their weapons, have tried yesterday to attack our positions in the city, but was repulsed and inflicted on heavy losses by our joint forces.

 

Our sector command, under the leadership of Lt-

Col Jama Ali Jama,

have confirmed us through telephone on yesterday night the Mujahidin gallant forces have killed over 20 and wounded over 50 pro-Puntland Abdullahi Yusuf dervish mercenaries.

 

The Boosaaso victory over the evil followers of Abdullahi Yusuf [of] Puntland is the beginning of a new kind of jihad liberation not only in northeastern regions but in all parts of Somalia , as well as the Somali inhabited regions occupied by Ethiopia and Kenya African colonialists.

 

We call upon those who share with us [the] struggle and destiny to wage a total jihad against Abdullahi Yusuf`s regime and similar groups, such as the so called Somaliland and Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council [sRRC], who are all Ethiopia `s agents.

 

We particularly appeal to those forces in Transitional Government of Somalia, who are based in Mogadishu the capital, to organize their military and economic power in order to liberate the whole country and establish and alternative real Islamic state in Somalia .

 

Allahu Akbar [God is great]

 

 

Boosaaso, London .

[General Duke]

^^^^ That was a good read..

[NASSIR]

Ethiopian troops enter Puntland:

witnesses

November 23, 2001

[/b]

 

MOGADISHU, Nov 23

(AFP)

- Some 1,000 heavily armed Ethiopian troops entered the Somali autonomous region of Puntland on Friday at the invitation of the administration of Colonel Abdullahi Yussuf Ahmed, one of Puntland`s leaders, witnesses said.

 

The Ethiopian troops entered the town of Galcayo, some 500 kilometres (300 miles) north of the Somali capital Mogadishu. They were supported by heavily equipped armoured vehicles and pick-ups mounted with heavy machine guns, witnesses who declined to be named for security reasons said.

 

Witnesses told AFP that Galcayo locals, who support Abdullahi Yussuf, welcomed the Ethiopian troops.

 

Prominent Galkacyo elder Islam Bashir Islam Abdule -- one of a group of ***** clan elders from Puntland who visited Ethiopia last month to urge Addis Ababa to intervene militarily in Puntland to resolve the constitutional crisis there -- said the troops were invited by Puntland elders and supporters of Abdullahi Yussuf.

 

During last month`s visit, the elders told Ethiopia that Abdullahi Yusuf had been attacked by an extremist religious group, which tried to overthrow him in August.

 

Their accusation was a reference to the Al Itihaad Al Islamiya, a Somali Islamic extremist group which the United States recently put on its list of terrorist organisations.

 

But a senior Ethiopian official denied that troops had moved in.

 

“We don`t have a single soldier there,” said the government official, who asked not to be named. He said Addis Ababa was “committed to peace and security” in Somalia.

 

Puntland, once an island of peace in war-torn Somalia, has been embroiled in a major power struggle over the past three months.

 

On Wednesday, 13 people were killed when fighters backing Abdullahi Yussuf raided the capital Garowe and seized it from supporters of Jama Ali Jama, who was named president by a congress of elders of the ***** clan on November 14. Abdullahi Yusuf immediately rejected the appointment.

 

Jama (Col. Jama Ali Jama) is a former military officer in the army of Somalia`s ex- dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, who was toppled in 1991.

 

“The people of Puntland recognize the leadership of Puntland which has been popularly elected, and they will not give attention to an illegal conference funded by religious extremists of Al Itihad Al Islam,” a senior official at Abdullahi Yusuf`s office said at the time.

 

But the Somali Transitional National Government (TNG) Prime Minster Hassan Abshir Farah, who is currently in neighbouring Djibouti, warned Abdullahi Yusuf in an interview over the BBC Somali service to leave Garowe immediately, or “face the consequences.”

 

 

Abdullahi Yusuf emerged as president of Puntland when the northeastern Somali region was founded as an “autonomous state” in August 1998.

 

 

Under Puntland`s constitution, his mandate was due to end in August, but parliament voted to extend it for another three years in June …

 

 

© Copyright 2001

[NASSIR]

Puntland leader denies existence of terrorist base

BBC Monitoring Africa – Political

December 12, 2001

 

Text of report by Somali newspaper Ayaamaha web site on 12 December

 

The newly elected regional president of Puntland [northeastern Somalia ], Ali Jama Ali,

has held a press conference in Boosaaso [commercial port town]. Mr Ali explained issues affecting the Puntland region, saying that Abdullahi Yusuf [deposed Puntland leader] was planning to cause unrest among Puntland people.

 

The Puntland leader denied Abdullahi Yusuf`s allegation that terrorist groups were present in Shimbiraale [village near Boosaaso].

 

“You saw the place you were taken to with your own eyes, and witnessed that Shimbiraale is not a terrorist camp,” said Mr Ali.

 

Mr Ali said that he would do everything possible to restore peace in Puntland. He called the Puntland people to be on the watch for war-mongering activities advocated by Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmad.

 

Source: Ayaamaha web site, Mogadishu , in Somali 12 Dec 01.

© 2001 The British Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

[Saalax]

Nassir, indeed that is a clear propagenda, Jama Ali Jama was a friend of Abdiqasim Salad Hassan - TNG leader - 2000-2004 and it had nothing to do with al-itihad.

[NASSIR]

You be the judge>>>>>>>>>>.

 

 

I rest my case!

[General Duke]

^^^^Jama Ali Jama & Yusuf fought over resources hidden under Qhardo right?

[NASSIR]

^"Puntland leader denies existence of terrorist base

BBC Monitoring Africa – Political

December 12, 2001"

[General Duke]

Originally posted by Nassir:

^"

Puntland leader denies existence of terrorist base

BBC Monitoring Africa – Political

December 12, 2001"

So they denied that Attam had any links with Al Shabaab back in 2001?

[NASSIR]

lol@ Duke, that Puntland leader denying the false accusation of "terrorist base" is Col. Jama Ali Jama, not Atam. Read the documents with keen eyes.