Posted on 12/26/2008 10:33:39 AM PST by Free ThinkerNY
Fears are growing that this lawless area, bordering Kenya and Ethiopia, could become a stronghold for terrorists with possible links to al-Qaeda.
Somalia's weak official government, the 14th in the last 17 years, depends entirely on the presence of Ethiopian troops, who are deployed in and around the capital, Mogadishu.
They invaded in December 2006, mounting an American-supported operation which overthrew an earlier Islamist regime, styling itself the Islamic Courts Union.
But Ethiopia has pledged to withdraw its troops at the end of December. When they leave, the official government is likely to fall - or be forced to evacuate Mogadishu.
An armed group styling itself Al-Shebab is likely to take over. Already, its fighters are believed to control more than 80 per cent of southern Somalia. These radical Islamists believe in imposing Sharia law and they recently approved the stoning of a 13-year-old girl.
Al Shebab, the fanatical armed wing which broke from the Islamic Courts Union which ran Somalia for the second half of 2006, now holds more than 80 per cent of the country – more territory than the Courts controlled during their reign.
Rashid Abdi, Somalia analyst for the Brussels-based International Crisis Group said: "They may be forced to moderate their radical line once they take over just to stay in power.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
And the US military...
Still has a couple of scores to settle...
IIRC
Oh wait. Half of clintons cronnies will be in charge next month. I guess Somalia is a safe haven for quite some time.
PAY the Ethiopians to take care of their own backyard.
We have bigger fish to fry elsewhere.
And here in the U.S. as well!
Chinese flag up anti-pirate fleet
Financial Times | December 17, 2008 | Kathrin Hille in Beijing and Harvey Morris in NY
Posted on 12/18/2008 11:27:17 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2150959/posts
Chinese Navy sets sail for anti-piracy mission off Somalia (Xinhua)
China Daily | 12/26/08
Posted on 12/26/2008 5:12:49 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2154391/posts
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