Thursday, January 22, 2009

With Ethiopian Pullout, Islamists Rise Again In Somalia

Somalia Islamist insurgents stand guard as passengers board a bus in Mogadishu January 19, 2009. Hardline Somali Islamist insurgents said on Friday they executed a politician accused of being a "spy" for Ethiopian troops and militia opposed to them. REUTERS/ Ismail Taxta (SOMALIA)

From The Washington Post:

NAIROBI -- The departure of the last Ethiopian tanks from Somalia's capital is ushering in a new phase of conflict in a nation known for clan warfare: a battle for power among militias flying Islamist banners.

In some ways, the situation in Somalia, where people have long practiced a moderate and mostly apolitical form of Islam, has circled back to where it was when the Ethiopians invaded two years ago. The U.S.-supported operation was intended to oust a popular movement of moderate and radical Islamists that had taken over the capital and that the United States accused of having ties to al-Qaeda.

Read more ....

More News On Somalia

Mogadishu Violence Claims 35 Lives -- Media Line
Fierce clashes erupt in Mogadishu -- Press TV
At Least 12 Killed in Mogadishu Clashes -- Voice Of America
UN food agency wants guarantees to continue Somalia relief -- Yahoo News/AFP
SOMALIA: WFP could halt food distribution, calls for staff safety -- Reuters

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