Ethiopian Troops Advance on Mogadishu (May Capture Somali Captial in 24-48 hrs)

Reuters News Alert ^ | December 27, 2006 | Salad Duhul

[meg88]

Ethiopian troops advance on Mogadishu

December 27, 2006

ETHIOPIAN troops are advancing on the Somali capital and could seize it within two days.

Somalia's envoy to Ethiopia said yesterday: "Ethiopian forces are on their way to Mogadishu. They are about 70 kilometres away and it is possible they could capture it in the next 24 to 48 hours."

Addis Ababa has vowed to protect Somalia's weak interim Government from rival Islamists based in Mogadishu, and a week of artillery and mortar duels between the two sides has spiralled into open war that both sides say has killed hundreds.

Islamist fighters have retreated from the front line, with troops loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts withdrawing more than 50 kilometres to the south-east from Daynuney, a town just south of the Government's headquarters of Baidoa.

Ethiopian jets fired missiles at the retreating soldiers yesterday, after bombing Somalia's two Islamist-held international airports on Monday.

While the Government hailed the retreat as a partial victory, the Islamists insisted their withdrawal and re-grouping was a tactic in what they vowed would be a long war.

The Islamist forces also abandoned their main stronghold in Bur Haqaba and were forming convoys heading towards the capital Mogadishu, reported residents in villages along the road.

"We woke up from our sleep this morning and the town was empty of troops, not a single Islamic fighter," said Ibrahim Muhammad Aden, a resident of Bur Haqaba. Another resident said locals were looting the food left behind.

Islamic fighters were also reportedly retreating on two other fronts in the war for control of Somalia. On the northern front, Government and Ethiopian troops entered the town of Bulo Barde, where two weeks ago a Muslim cleric said anyone who did not pray five times a day would be executed.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi announced on Saturday that he had sent troops into Somalia to fight international terrorists, defend Ethiopian interests and prop up the besieged UN-backed Government, which has only a small military force.

But Mr Zenawi has said he does not intend to keep his forces in Somalia for long. He has told visiting dignitaries in Addis Ababa that his goal is to severely damage the Islamic Courts' military capabilities, take away their sense of invincibility and allow both sides to return to peace talks on an even footing.

The Islamic group, which wants to rule the country by the Koran, has been a source of grave concern for Ethiopia. Since June, it has seized control of the capital and much of southern Somalia.

No reliable casualty reports are available. Both sides claim to have killed hundreds of their enemy, but independent observers were not given access to the battlefield. The Arab League, which has mediated several rounds of talks between the Somali Government and the Islamists, called for all parties involved to "immediately hold a comprehensive ceasefire".

Many Somalis are enraged by Ethiopian involvement - the countries have fought two wars over their disputed border in the past 45 years.

Somalia has not had an effective government since warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, plunging the country into chaos.

AP, REUTERS

[SoldierDad]

Let's hope they have a better after-plan when they attain Mission Accomplished.

Let's hope they don't have a bunch of liberal seditionists waiting for a chance to support the enemies of their country as what happended here.

[tina07]

exactly, and it burns me that it was distorted to present day meaning.

[letsgonova19087]

I seem to remember reading somewhere..."Boots on the Ground" by Kaplan maybe?...that we have guys in Ethopia training their guys...

just warms my heart!

[supremedoctrine]

You have nailed it with your list of vexations regarding Islamic Jihadists. The most crucial piece of business, to me, by which I mean something I can conceivably do something about, is to expose CAIR for what it is, and neutralize them politically, and call their bluff. They have demagogued enough made-up stories, and put them forth as instances of anti-Islamic behavior and even hate crimes as to thoroughly discredit themselves. Know the story about the radical Islamic father and son in the Bronx, I believe it was, who fed CAIR the story that their little shop had been burned down by anti-Islamic bigots, who were then reveealed to have done it themselves for the insurance money? Anybody have a reference for that?

[F-117A]

"Witnesses in Baidoa said an Ethiopian military helicopter had flown out of the city on Thursday, and an unmarked C-130 airplane believed to be flying surveillance runs circled the dusty trading post that is the government's only safe ground." Yahoo

"Witnesses reported an unmarked C-130 circling above Galkaayo, close to Puntland." CNN Cache

"Witnesses in Baidoa said an Ethiopian helicopter had flown out of the city yesterday, and an unmarked C-130 airplane believed to be flying surveillance runs circled the dusty trading post that is the government's only safe landing ground." Gulf news

Earlier in the year... "...plane thought to be surveillance aircraft known as AC-130 was flying over Mogadishu city during the latest clashes." Somalinet

Apparently observation has been going on for some time as this 1995 report attests... "The occasional surveillance flights over Mogadishu remind many residents of the American AC-130 gunships that frightened the city in 1993, breeding anxiety and indignation." COUNTER-TERRORISM IN SOMALIA:

Nearby in Djibouti, there's a US special force base... "The base is perched at the far edge of Ambouli Airport in this tiny country's capital city. Soldiers can be seen working on the coiled barbed wire surrounding the base's perimeter. Tan humvee vehicles with mounted machine guns are visible, some parked, some patrolling. Marine and special forces helicopters are also in sight, as well as an MC-130 gunship, [their term] a version of the heavily armed AC-130 modified for special forces." US special forces develop base amid secrecy

"The mission of the MC-130E Combat Talon I and MC-130H Combat Talon II is to provide global, day, night and adverse weather capability to airdrop and airland personnel and equipment in support of U.S. and allied special operations forces. These aircraft are equipped with in-flight refueling equipment, terrain-following, terrain-avoidance radar, an inertial and global positioning satellite navigation system, and a high-speed aerial delivery system. All twenty-four aircraft have been delivered." MC-130 Hercules

There are also several electronic versions: EC-130 - Electronic

And, of course, your basic C-130

So, what actually was in the sky is anyone's guess!

[Levante]

"Notice how the Islamonazis lose every pitced battle they fight? They're only good at blowing up women and kids in markets."

Exactly. The Islamonazi scum (which the Democraps and the MSN love so much) are nothing more than a bunch of filthy vaginas.

[EnochPowellWasRight]

"In Iraq, we were trying to "save" the Iraqi people from Saddam, and now from the terrorists and insurgents, so when we kill civilians we are killing the people we are trying to protect. "

The purpose of that war was no more saving the people of Iraq than saving the people of Germany was during WWII.

It was a good side-effect to something that WAS a US interest - deposing Saddam. Everything else was PR.

[FlyVet]

Don't the Ethiopians have embedded leftist urinalists watching over their shoulder at all times, waiting for them to commit Great Wrongs, and broadcasting it to the world? How else can they be stopped?

[M. Espinola]

"The Arab League has been busy stoking the problems all along. The Saudi-supported Arab Wahabbists that went into Somalia are largely responsible for this most recent round of problems."

I am glad you brought up those very relevant points. America should be supporting the Ethiopian army in their countering the Wahhabists warlords.

Ethiopia says victory in sight over Somali militias

[Dutchguy]

But, but.. did the UN sanction this war?

Thank God the Ethiopians could care less, and do what's right.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Remember though, "Our war is not with the People of Iraq".

We weren't trying to defeat the Country of Iraq, we were trying to depose their leader.

Just like when we went into Panama to capture Noriega.

Capturing someone and bringing them to trial is primarily a law enforcement action, even if you use your military to do it. Law enforcement generally tries NOT to hurt anybody else when they go after the bad guys.

Oddly, we seem a little better at that in Iraq than Clinton was in Waco.

[b4its2late]

The Islamic group, which wants to rule the country by the Koran, has been a source of grave concern for Ethiopia.

All countries should learn a lesson from this.

[randog]

...Ethiopian troops entered the town of Bulo Barde, where two weeks ago a Muslim cleric said anyone who did not pray five times a day would be executed.

The Islamic group, which wants to rule the country by the Koran...

But...but....the Koran is a beautiful book that preaches peace and tolerance and love the earth by recycling, right?!!

[jeffers]

I kind of liked the pyramid of 70,000 skulls the Mongolians under one of the Khan's stacked up outside Constantinople(?) after they sacked it. If you're going to send a message, SEND A MESSAGE.

Ah well, either the turbs will piss us off to that degree, or else they won't...either way we win. Still...

GO ETHIOPIA!

Get some for me!

[BenLurkin]

Send them all to Allah...

[EnochPowellWasRight]

"Remember though, "Our war is not with the People of Iraq"."

Was World War II a war with the people of Germany and Japan? Was THAT a "law enforcement action"? What "law" were we enforcing?

"We weren't trying to defeat the Country of Iraq, we were trying to depose their leader. "

If you don't defeat the country, the Marshall Plan approach won't work.

[meg88]

some military leaders say they will attack Mogadishu tomorrow...

We will attack Mogadishu tomorrow from Balad and Afgoye, says Mohammed Dheere

Aweys Osman Yusuf Mogadishu 27, Dec.06 ( Sh.M.Network) Mohammed Dheere, former chairman of Jawhar, accompanied by Somali and ethiopian forces have regained the Middle Shabelle main town of Jawhar.

Hundreds of people have come to the town square to listen to a speech delivered by Mohammed Dheere. In his speech, Mr. Dheere threatened his forces with the help of the Ethiopian military forces would attack the capital Mogadishu from the south and north side.

“We will attack Mogadishu tomorrow from Balad and Afgoye”, he said.

He told the people that the town of Jawhar was seized by the interim government forces, urging them to stay calm. “We will not deal with those who worked with the Islamic Courts as criminals. We will forgive them, but from now on we will hold them responsible for their actions”, he said.

He also called on the people to welcome the Ethiopian troops whom he said helped the Somali transitional government forces seize key provinces in Somalia.

UN relief agencies have come to halt their aid operations in the country following the government closure of all land, sea and air borders.

Hundred thousands of Somali refugees have been affected by the fighting between the Islamic Courts fighters and Ethiopian troops backing the transitional government forces. Residents in the capital say they prefer that Islamists leave the Mogadishu so that their fight with Ethiopians should not occur in the capital that was repeatedly ravaged by tribal wars.

Ahmed Mohammed, a resident in Mogadishu, said, “What can we do? We will welcome the newcomers because we need change and stability in our city.”

Residents in Balad, 30 km north of the capital, reportedly looted warehouses and stations of the ICU fighters when they have retreated from the town and headed to the capital Mogadishu. http://www.shabelle.net/news/ne1953.htm

[SauronOfMordor]

The WOT would be over now if we could somehow fuse their political will with our "biggest can of whoop-a$$ on the planet" military. [sigh]

To a degree, Western culture is a veneer of Christianity over a core of Rome

If we get a bunch of terrorist incidents on US soil, the veneer will wear mighty thin. At that point the Islamists will discover that they really should not have done that...

[CharlesWayneCT]

World War 2 WAS a war with the states of Germany and Japan (and Italy, I wonder if they ever feel left out).

We put Japanese-Americans into internment camps just in case they had allegiance to their country.

We definitely had no interest in "freeing" the people of Germany or Japan. We assumed that they supported their country, and were therefore culpable in their country's actions.

With Iraq, we assumed that most people of the country were opposed to their government but powerless to change it, and that they needed to be liberated, much like we liberated Kuwait.

Kuwait is a good example in fact, we "invaded" Kuwait but we most certainly were trying NOT to damage anything in the country, or hurt any of the people -- because the enemy was the Iraqi military, and we were trying to liberate Kuwait, not go to war with it.

We approached the Iraq war in the same way, trying very hard not to make enemies of the people, but simply wanting to remove the ruling class, the sunni minority, who we also didn't really want to fight if we could help it.

One advantage of installing democracies is that you SHOULD be able to blame the people for their government.

[L,TOWM]

The interesting thing about Ethiopia is that their brand of Christianity dates back far longer than many Western European nations. One of the reasons that they were not colonized - no excuse from the western europeans that they were "bringing the gospel to the heathens".

I suppose living with Darfur in your backyard and Somalian islamofacism/anarchy in your frontyard got the gloves off. Plus, this is another round in what has been an ongoing fight for Ethiopia; their troubles with Eritrea and Somalia date back to the days when Africa did'nt even know there was a Europe.

Still, it is maddening to me that we declare a war and then try to make it a slap fight, while Ethiopia seems to be making a maximum effort.