Somali Islamists seize town near port in Puntland

[Liqaye]

ABDI GULED

 

Associated Press= MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Fifteen people were killed when hundreds of Islamist insurgent fighters seized a town in northern Somalia on Wednesday, an official said.

 

The official says the Islamists are in control of the town of Gal Gala, which is 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of the port of Bosasso, the commercial hub of the semiautonomous northern region of Puntland.

 

The official said nine soldiers and six insurgents had been killed in Wednesday's fighting and that government forces were regrouping to launch a counterattack. He asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the press.

 

The insurgents are led by Sheik Ali Gamey, linked to arms dealer Mohamed Atom, who the U.N. accuses of supplying weapons to Somalia's al-Shabab militia in the south. The town used to be a base for Atom's fighters.

 

Gamey was a member of al-Itihad, an Islamist group active in Somalia in the 1990s. Puntland police arrested him last year but he was later freed on bail.

 

Somalia has not had a functioning government for more than 20 years. The current phase of the civil war pits Islamist insurgents against a weak U.N.-backed government, but the conflict is complicated by clan loyalties, corruption and the involvement of regional rivals Ethiopia and Eritrea.

[Liqaye]

Somali Islamist insurgents briefly seize town in Puntland; official says 25 dead

 

MOGADISHU, Somalia — At least 25 people were killed on Wednesday when hundreds of Islamist insurgent fighters briefly seized a town in a region of northern Somalia that is usually relatively peaceful, an official said.

 

Islamists temporarily seized the town of Gal Gala, which is 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of the port of Bosasso, the commercial hub of the semiautonomous northern region of Puntland, said Puntland’s minister of security, Gen. Yusuf Ahmed Khayr. He said the government regained control of the town.

 

Puntland is relatively peaceful compared to south-central Somalia and foreign aid workers and businessmen are usually able to operate there. This is the first attack of this scale in Puntland this year, although the region battled Islamist militants in its mountainous region last year.

 

Khayr said five soldiers had been killed in the morning attack on the town. Another official said earlier that nine had been killed. He asked for anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press. The reason for the discrepancy was not immediately clear.

 

Both agreed six insurgents had been killed during the initial attack when Islamists ambushed a government patrol by firing rocket propelled grenades at their vehicles. But government forces launched a counterattack and killed fourteen more insurgents when they regained the town, Khayr said.

 

It was impossible to verify his account because the town’s mobile phone network was not operating.

 

The insurgents are led by Sheik Ali Gamey, linked to arms dealer Mohamed Atom, who the U.N. accuses of supplying weapons to Somalia’s al-Shabab militia in the south. The town used to be a base for Atom’s fighters.

 

Gamey was a member of al-Itihad, an Islamist group active in Somalia in the 1990s. Puntland police arrested him last year but he was later freed on bail.

 

Somalia has not had a functioning government for more than 20 years. The current phase of the civil war pits Islamist insurgents against a weak U.N.-backed government, but the conflict is complicated by clan loyalties, corruption and the involvement of regional rivals Ethiopia and Eritrea.

 

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Liqaye]

I thought the Atom nonsense was over?

 

This was suppose to be in the top 3 success list of the Faroole admin! Indeed it was supposed to be Ilkajiir's war was it not, how come's the nabaadiid's have managed to regroup and cause so much devastation??

[Thankful]

You will never see Garoweonline update their site quickly, except when it comes to the threat of Al Shabaab and Atam.

 

There is no doubt they see this kind of news as beneficial in acquiring more money and aid. I suspect this will help them justify why they needed to have the foreign trained forces, plus its right around the announcement of Bin Laden's death!!!

 

This isn't like the SSC who are fighting against secessionism - which the NW Somalia Hargeysa admin are unable to spin! This is Puntland fight against the west's biggest enemy!

 

I think we can both agree Faroole and his admin don't mind Atam making the news!

 

http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_Puntland_Government_Forces_Kill_21_Al_Shabaab_Militants.shtml

 

Somalia

 

Somalia: Puntland Government Forces Kill 21 Al Shabaab Militants

11 May 11, 2011 - 4:33:12 AM

 

Puntland Government forces based in Galgala mountainous area were ambushed during the early hours Wednesday.

 

Government forces vehicles were hit with rockets, causing 5-dead and 4-wounded of Puntland Government security forces.

 

At least 21 Al Shabaab militants were killed who had secretly entered Golis Mountain Range, west of Galgala area, recently.

 

The fleeing remnants of the Al Shabaab militants run back to the mountain hideouts, as Puntland Government forces continue military operations to hunt down the militants.

 

We will update you with any new information.

 

----

Ministry of Security and DDR

Government of Puntland State of Somalia

 

Communications Office

The Puntland Presidency

Puntland State of Somalia

E-mail: info@puntland-gov.net

Web: www.puntland-gov.net

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Since when is Sheikh atam a member of Alqeada?

[Saalax]

GalGala oo Dagaalo ka Curteen

 

Dagaal qaraar ayaa xalay ilaa saaka Waaberkii ka soconayey Degmada

Galgala ee Gobolka Bari kaasi oo u dhexaya Ciidamada Puntland ee

Darawiishta,Boliiska iyo kuwa loo yaqaan PISta iyo Ciidanka

Degaankaasi oo la sheegay inay ka soo horjedaan,Waxaana dagaalkan ku

gacan sarayey isla markaasina qabsaday Gadiid 4Tigniko ah iyo Hub

kooxda ka soo horka jeeda Puntland.

 

Wararka ayaa sheegay inay in kabadan 5Ruux oo Ciidanka Puntland ay ku

dhimatay dagaalkaasi iyadoo xiriiro aan la samaynay Dowlada Puntland

ay diideen inay faahfaahin ka bixiyaan dagaalkan qasaaraha dhaliyey ee

dib uga soo cusboonaday Degmada Galgala ee Gobolka Bari xili ciidamada

Puntland ay gacanta ugu jirtey Awooda degmadaasi Galgala.

 

Dagaalka ayaa joogsaday iminka waxaana wararku shegayaan inay guud

ahaan Jawiga Degmada Galgala uu yahay mid kacsan saaka iyadoo

Magaalada Boasasona laga dareemayo dhaq dhaaq ciidank ,Waxaana dadka

rayadka ah ee Magaalada Bosaso ay qaarkood ku tilmaamayaan dagaalkani

inuu yahay mashruuc horle oo ay dowlada Puntland ciidamadeedu howlgal

ku doonayaan iyadoo xiligan aan la filayn Mucaaradkii dowlada ee ka

garab dagaalamayey ee uu hogaaminayey SHiikh Maxamed Siciid Atam inay

dib ugu soo laabteen degaanadaasi

 

Galgalanews/Bosaso

[Thankful]

Xaaji Xunjuf;718466 wrote:

Since when is Sheikh atam a member of Alqeada?

 

 

The insurgents are linked to arms dealer Mohamed Atom.

The U.N. says he supplies weapons to Somalia's al-Shabab militia in the south.

Xaaji whether he is or not is irrelevant! The U.S has frozen his assests and the UN suspect that he is, this is all that matters!

 

If you think this is hurting Faroole or that he stressing over it, then you obviously don't understand who the richest countries in the world give their aid to.

 

Just like Garoweonline put this on their site right away, I think you and I can agree that the Faroole's adminn enjoys the international headlines declaring that they are fighting suspected islamic militants.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they are the ones leaking it to the press right away!

[AYOUB]

Thankful;718459 wrote:

There is no doubt they see this kind of news as beneficial in acquiring more money and aid.

That's one way to look at things, but lot's of people have died. AUN

[Liqaye]

^^ Indeed Ayoub thankful's answer was very machiavellan maybe he thinks I was trying to score points or something, for I hate the gaardhere's where ever they may be in Somalia, lakiin I hope that answer along the lines that "As long as they are being attacked by Islamist's" is not a puntlander's final answer on this.

[AYOUB]

At the end of the day, it does not matter what our intent (you and I) is. Dadka dhimanaya waa Thankful tolkiis. What will the potential acquired aid and money for? To build hospital for injured and school for this conflicts' orphans?

[Liqaye]

Probably to buy apple flavour for Faroole's shiisha.

[Thankful]

AYOUB;718689 wrote:

That's one way to look at things, but lot's of people have died. AUN

I agree the fighting is pointless. Even Atam was questioning why the people were coming to his defense. You are not hearing of protest or rally's in support of him.

 

Anyhow, just go on Garoweonline and look at their news. You barely see stuff about Puntland, even when new states are allegedly named or killings take place. It is not very up to date site anymore. But when it comes news about Atam and Al-Shabaab?? It's on in a snap of a finger!

 

Faroole's admin wants news to spread about this conflict, it is not something they are trying to cover up.

[Saalax]

Forces Loyal to Mohamed Said Atom Seize Galgala Town of Western Bari Region

Posted by dhoodi Meer on May 11, 2011 in English, Warar

Heavy clashes erupted early Wednesday morning in the northern Somalia region between Puntland forces and militants loyal to an insurgent leader, Mohamed Said Atom, leaving at least 28 combatants dead according to local witnesses.

 

Reports confirm that militants loyal to Atom seized the town of Galgala, which is 25 miles south of the port of Bosasso, the commercial hub of the semiautonomous northern region of Puntland.

 

Somali Public Radio contacted opposing sides, both refusing to comment on the deadly battle that took course Wednesday morning.

 

Local elder in the town of Galgala who requested anonymity for security reasons told SPR that he saw 20 dead bodies. Puntland security minister Khayr told SPR that five soldiers had been killed in the morning attack on the town. Another Puntland official said earlier that nine had been killed from Puntland troops.

 

It is very difficult to verify conflicting accounts, because the town’s phone network was currently shut off by Puntland administration.

 

Somali Public Radio also obtained information from residents of Sugurre town near Galgala, that militias loyal to Atam ambushed a Puntland vehicle by firing rocket propelled grenades at their vehicles. 6 Puntland troops have been reported to have died from this ambush.

 

Puntland forces are said to be regrouping in an effort to launch a counter attack.

 

Puntland regional administration has been waging offensives in Western Bari since late July of 2010, in their efforts to combat local militants led by Mohamed Said Atom.

 

Puntland accuses Atom for having links to terrorist groups in southern Somalia, but political analyst say that the conflict in the north is not entirely about terrorism. They say it also is about long-held political and economic grievances the clan of Western Bari region have had against the Puntland government since the administration’s quest to mine a nearby village, Majiyahan with out approval from the inhabitants of Western Bari.

 

Somali Public Radio

[oba hiloowlow]

Guess Atom is back....

[Thankful]

I don't think he ever left, he definitely does not sound as confident as his other interviews, his voice is quiet and has no enthusiasm. I believe he realizes that the people of these communities are not supporting him.

 

I can guess that those South African mercenaries will be returning as Faroole now has a reason for their presence. Or maybe this has to do with U.S Senator Mark Kirk's visit.

 

Just like last time when there was an upsurge in killings around the state and other problems, Mr. Atam came and took a lot of attention away from that.

 

It seems he is back again helping out Faroole.