Ethiopian troops postpone leaving Somalia

[MuhamedAbdullah]

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zanawi says that his country's troops will continue to stay in Somalia until their objectives are met.

The idea of withdrawing troops out of Somalia while its transitional President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed counts on our support is totally unacceptable. Yusuf Ahmad is a friend of ours and we will not leave him alone, the Ethiopian premier told local journalists in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

Zanawi's remarks came as he had earlier vowed to pull Ethiopian's forces out of conflict-stricken Somalia at the very earliest.

It is also noteworthy that the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) and Al-Shabab fighters have gained control of roughly 95% of the Horn of Africa country.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia has been accused of deliberately underestimating the scale of a deadly drought facing millions of its people, some of whom are being deprived of emergency food aid by the country's military. The humanitarian crisis caused by three years of failed rains, currently affects about 4.6 million people, though the official number could jump to as high as 6.7 million this week.

United Nations agencies say that the real number at risk is above 8 million, an estimate disputed hotly by Addis Ababa, which is insisting on publishing a much lower figure.

Ethiopian troops come under relentless attacks and their military vehicles are set ablaze every day, all of which indicate their inability to defeat anti-Ethiopian forces.
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?i...onid=351020501

[MuhamedAbdullah]

At least 11 soldiers have been killed in a clash with rebels near Baidoa town, 20 km from Somalia's parliament headquarters.

On Saturday, the anti-government forces clashed with soldiers near Baidoa and in addition to killing 11 soldiers they captured three military vehicles and confiscated scores of heavy military arms, according to Press TVs correspondent in Mogadishu.

Witnesses say the fighting broke out when the soldiers confronted the insurgents while returning to their base near Baidoa. Both sides opened fire that resulted in the death of the soldier's while there is no confirmation of anti-government forces' losses.

Meanwhile in Mogadishu, Somalia's government has been looking into adding more flights in and out of Aden Adde international airport, but given the security situation no airlines have come forward so far.
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?i...onid=351020501

[MuhamedAbdullah]

Somalia's interim President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed has been barred from leaving the country to attend the 63rd UN General Assembly in New York.

Al-Shabab fighters blocked the road from Villa Somalia - the presidential palace of Somalia - to Mogadishu International Airport, preventing Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and his former minister of foreign affairs Ali Jama Jangali from boarding the plane to New York, a Press TV correspondent reported on Sunday.

The report added that the president and his former foreign minister are currently entrapped in Villa Somalia amid threats of mine blasts and assaults that normally target Somali government officials.

The anti-peace group, Al-Shabab have cancelled my trip to New York and the government troops do not have the upper hand to flush them out of the area, a statement released by Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed's office said.

Over 130 heads of state and government representatives are expected to attend the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly.

This year, the General Assembly will focus on the maintenance of peace and security, promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development, promotion of human rights, promotion of justice and international law, disarmament, combating international terrorism, crime prevention and drug control.

http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?i...onid=351020501

[MuhamedAbdullah]

The anti-peace group, Al-Shabab have cancelled my trip to New York and the government troops do not have the upper hand to flush them out of the area, a statement released by Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed's office said.

It is evident from this that the Mujahideen are gaining more victories each day and exercise alot of control in Somalia. I think we may be approaching the end game in Somalia (or at least of this phase).

[Abu Shawarma]

lol, these Habashi troops are being slaughtered left and right and for what? To serve the interests of America.

[Abdullah ibn Adam]

It is also noteworthy that the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) and Al-Shabab fighters have gained control of roughly 95% of the Horn of Africa country.

Subhanallah, is that figure true and confirmed by reliable sources? If so, then al-hamdulillah!

[MohamedH123]

^ Brother no it's not true. Half the country is in the two northernly states of Somaliland and Puntland.

If they mean 95% of their former territories, then that could be correct.

However take Press Tv with a pinch of salt. They are rafidhi owned and tend to blimp up numbers everywhere.

I wonder how they Rafidhi are so focused on such a salafi/'wahabbi' group like al shabaab LOL

[Abu Bakr as-Somali]

They mean southern Somalia, not Puntland and Somaliland. Somalis are divided into 5 regions: Somaliland (Hargaysah), Puntland (Bandar Qasim, Bosaso), Somalia (Moqadishu)[Puntland is in fact part of Somalia], Somali Region (Jigjiga etc,)in Eastern Ethiopia, and North Kenya [Garissa].

[MohamedH123]

^ They are talking about Somalia. That country that looks like a 7 (Yes it includes Somaliland and Puntland). Neither are recognized countries. Both are in our country. Whether they like it or not.

Anyhow this is a political map I picked up from Wikipedia. it looks relatively accurate.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._districts.png

[Abu Bakr as-Somali]

I forgot to mention Djibouti!