Posted on 04/13/2011 12:52:51 PM PDT by Eleutheria5
MOGADISHU, Somalia -African Union peacekeepers who launched an offensive seven weeks ago have expanded their control of Mogadishu to around half the Somali capital. They've gotten so close to Islamic insurgents that the soldiers can hear them cock their rifles before counterattacks.
But the campaign has come at a dear cost. Officials tell The Associated Press that more than 50 peacekeepers have been killed, along with an unknown number of Somali dead.
The casualty rate is so high that the AU has not announced it, saying that is the responsibility of Uganda and Burundi, the two countries that currently contribute troops to the mission that is shoring up the weak U.N.-backed government.
Somali politicians hope a stronger military posture might help bring elements of the insurgency to the negotiating table. But Western diplomats say the government can't manage even its existing alliances.
Somalia has been mired in violence since 1991, when clan-based warlords toppled dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then turned on each other. In recent years, an Islamist insurgency called al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaida, has taken control over broad areas of southern Somalia. It also controlled most of the capital — until the offensive began.
(Excerpt) Read more at aolnews.com ...
Earth to Palis: The UN does squat.
Also, note that that something is killing bad guys; i.e. islamists trying to force their religion on everyone else.
Yes. And sometimes getting killed, and never bemoaning such crap as “the escalating cycle of violence”. When you have to fight, fight. With Islamofascists, it’s to the death, whether next week or in 40 years. Kill them. Spare the women and kids if they let you.
Stupid Somalis caulking their rifles. “Put some silicone down the barrel. That will keep the bullets dry.”
Yes. The thicker the better. Use heavy-duty caulk.
African Union peacekeepers who launched an offensive seven weeks ago have expanded their control of Mogadishu to around half the Somali capital. They've gotten so close to Islamic insurgents that the soldiers can hear them cock their rifles before counterattacks... more than 50 peacekeepers have been killed, along with an unknown number of Somali dead... the AU has not announced it, saying that is the responsibility of Uganda and Burundi, the two countries that currently contribute troops to the mission... Somalia has been mired in violence since 1991, when clan-based warlords toppled dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then turned on each other. In recent years, an Islamist insurgency called al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaida...See, this is one of those times I'd advocate just killing every Muzzie in the entire hell-hole of a "country", if I weren't such a suave and debonair guy. (belch)
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