| Africa Horn |
| Ethiopian forces take over Qanyare's residence |
| 2007-11-19 |
| (SomaliNet) Hundreds of Ethiopian troops with tanks and battle wagons have occupied the residence of former warlord Mohamed Qanyare but now in the federal parliament in Daynile neighborhood, south of the Somalia capital Mogadishu mid last night, sources say on Sunday. Witnesses told Somalinet that they found tanks and truck full of troops rolled into the compound last night. They have made military base in Qanyares residence. The soldiers are moving every where and forced the people to move from there. I dont know why they have settled here, said Ahmed Mumin, a local resident. The government did not comment so far the Ethiopian occupation on the house of the Mohamed Qanyare. Some reports say the military move by the Ethiopian aimed to prevent the growing insurgents. The Ethiopian army supporting the transitional federal government doubled its military movements against the Islamic militants. |
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| Africa Horn | |
| Somalia: Former warlords to be named for ministerial posts | |
| 2007-05-05 | |
 (SomaliNet) Somalias interim government is planning to include some of the former anti-terror alliance members in the cabinet ministers, unconfirmed reports say on Friday. The reports added that Somalia Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi is planning to reshuffle his cabinet bring in some former warlords in the government.
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| Africa Horn |
| Somalia: Another warlord lays down weapons |
| 2007-01-20 |
 (SomaliNet) Omar Mohamed Mohamud known as (Filish), former warlord has Thursday handed over all his weapons to the transitional federal government becoming the third warlord in Somalia capital Mogadishu who laid down his weapons. Mr. Filish who is now a member of parliament listed all his weapons and militiamen to the government committee for disarmament. He promised to work with the government in restoring law and order in the capital. The handover weapons took place in Filishs base in southern Mogadishu where all his weapons including battle wagons, heavy and light machineguns were taken by the governmennt. The move is part of earlier deal by the warlords and top government officials in Somalia on handing over the weapons of factional leaders. On Wednesday, warlords Mohamed Qanyare and Muse Sudi handed over their weapons and militias to the government. Hussein Mohamed Aideed, the deputy prime minister and interior minister also handed his weapons to the government. |
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| Africa Horn |
| Somalia: Warlords lay down weapons |
| 2007-01-18 |
| (SomaliNet) Former warlord, Mohamed Qanyare Afrah Wednesday handed over all his weapons and militiamen to the government He is the first warlord who laid down his weapons and let his militia join the government. In an occasion held in his base in southwest of the capital Mogadishu, Mr. Qanyare, who is now member of the parliament announced that all the militiamen with their weapons would be at the side of the government. I am here by declaring that I am handing all my weapons and my militiamen to the transitional government and I promise to work with the federal institutions, Qanyare said at the ceremony which attended by senior Somalia military officers. A large number of weapons including battlewagons, 30 heavy and light rifles were enlisted to be part the governments arms. General Naji, Somalia chief army commander, addressed the scene saying it was positive step towards promoting peace and security in Somalia. Today was the deadline of handing over the weapons of the warlords to the interim government. Muse Sudi Yalohow, among the former warlords has also handed his weapons and militia to the government, despite most of Sudis arms was taken by the ousted Islamists. Mr. Sudi, MP, argued that he had left some of his weapons in the fiefdoms of Qanyare and Mohamed Dhere, the chairman of Jowhar city, the capital of Middle Shabelle region in Somalia. The handover has taken place in Sudis residence in north of Mogadishu, Somalia capital where the government is now working its national duty. The move is part the governments disarmament program in the capital as the country is under three-month state of emergency which gives the government new sweeping powers. |
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| Africa Horn | |
| Somalia: Death toll rises, nine killed eight wounded in Mogadishu | |
| 2007-01-13 | |
 (SomaliNet) Details are emerging on today's deadly confrontation outside of the main presidential residence in the Somalia capital Mogadishu between government forces and militia loyal to former warlords as Somalia president sent his condolences to the relatives of the victims. The death toll rises to nine mostly were militiamen loyal to Mohamed Qanyare Afrah, member of the transitional parliament, medical sources confirmed. Eight more others were wounded in the gun battle. The wounded include civilians, hit by astray bullets.
Dinari said president Yusuf expressed his sorrow over the death of the militiamen sending condolences to their relatives. The president described the event as an accident, which will have no impact on the government tasks. | |
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| Africa Horn |
| Somalia tense after Islamists vanish |
| 2007-01-03 |
| "It's tense, Sarge!" "Yeah. Too tense!"  For six months Somalia's Islamists used freelance warlord Mohamed Qanyare Afrah's home as one of their bases as they took over much of the country. They used his many battlewagons and held meetings in his living room. Last week, they fled an onslaught led by troops from neighboring Ethiopia with Somalian government forces. Mr. Qanyare is grateful but only up to a point. "What I say is Ethiopia should not interfere in Somalian politics," he says. "They can stay as long as they are fighting Al Qaeda - that is a problem for the entire region. But if they try to become involved in our politics then we will oppose them." I predict that'll meet with approximately the same degree of success the Powerful Islamic Courts™ met with. Remember, Moh, they kicked your tails before the Aethiops kicked theirs. Ethiopia's preemptive offensive signals the opening of a new front in the global struggle against Islamist militants. And the speed of the Islamists' retreat is reminiscent of how insurgencies began in both Iraq and Afghanistan, say analysts. Now, victory may hinge upon whether warlords like Qanyare support occupying Ethiopian forces or the Islamists. |
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| Africa Horn |
| Somalia: Warlord back to his base in Mogadishu |
| 2006-12-30 |
| (SomaliNet) Mohamed Qanyare Afrah, a member of parliament and among former warlords, who returned to Mogadishu capital on Friday under the protection of Ethiopian forces, said he was very happy about the new change in Somalia and he is welcoming the ousting of Islamic Courts Union from the capital. Mr. Qanyare, who returned to his residence in Mogadishu, told the local media that he is against the plan in which the government wants to disarm the militias without giving their rights. The militias should see the government as their own, he said. In my point of view, I do reject to say to the militia put down the weapons and leave for good, because if the militias who have nowhere to go are ordered to do that, they would damage the security. I would suggest the transitional federal government to consider that and make the militias themselves as government soldiers, said Qanyare. The government should place the militia instead of discharging them. Mr. Qanyare, once one of powerful warlords in Somalia, also welcomed the Ethiopian forces' entry into the capital without clashes. Ethiopian forces should be thanked for their military operation against the so-called Islamic Courts which made the country base for terrorists, said Qanyare. The rule of Al-Qaeda members in Somalia has ended in failure and Somalis got their freedom back. He confirmed that he is fully working with the government for restoring the law and order in the capital. Mohamed Qanyare, an MP, said in a happy mood he had changed his position of being a warlord and is now ready to participate in reconstruction of Somalia. |
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| Africa Horn |
| Islamic militiamen conduct clearing operations in the Somalia capital |
| 2006-06-30 |
| (SomaliNet) People in the Somalia capital Mogadishu heartily welcomed on Thursday the ongoing security operations by Islamic courts in the city as hopeful step towards restoring law and order in Somalia. Before the Islamic courts power, the capital has been in state of turmoil and chaotic created by militia of the warlords who were defeated the war raged in the capital two weeks ago. Islamic militiamen have seized a key checkpoint on the Heart junction in Bakara market in the capital on Wednesday from the remained militia loyal to former ousted warlord Mohamed Qanyare. It is the second checkpoint taken over by Islamic courts within a week and this makes the Islamists operations stronger. We feel blessing and relief after the gunmen were removed from this junction, because we had problems in the traffic of the road, many thanks to Islamic courts and we urge them to continue their clearing operations in the capital, one of the residents told Somalinet on Thursday. When I visited this morning the area taken over by Islamic militiamen I could see that everything was in order, and well dressed Islamic fighters were arranging the private cars and other passengers buses on their right positions, even no car is allowed to take wrong side on the street. Before cars were in disorder. I met many local residents and they told me that they are in happy mood to see Heart junction was secure and safe. On Monday, the Islamists captured a key position from militia loyal to former anti terror alliance member Abdi Hassan Qeybdid on the main road which links Mogadishu to other southern parts of Somalia after heavy clashes killing six people mostly civilians. |
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| Africa Horn | |
| Escaped warlords seen in central Somalia | |
| 2006-06-19 | |
(SomaliNet) Muse Sudi Yalahow and Bashir Rage, the newly escaped warlords, are reported to have been seen in Elbur district of Galgadud region in central Somalia. Residents told local media that former trade minister Muse Sudi and his ally Bashir Rage, a warlord turned businessman reached in Dari village of Elbur district where former minister of national security Mohamed Qanyare and other members of the collapsed coalition of counter terrorism remained. Both warlords Sudi and Rage seemed to have joined their companions since they got isolation in Mogadishu where it is under the control of Islamic courts. No farther details on their presence in there.
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| Africa Horn |
| Somalia News in Brief |
| 2006-06-14 |
| Islamists impose curfew on JowharJowhar 14 June. 06 ( Sh.M.Network) - More than 12 people most of them militias have been killed and 20 others wounded in fighting that resulted Islamic militias seize the only Secular stronghold of Jowhar, sources reported. Islamic militias armed heavily with vehicles and machineguns have fiercely defeated rival Anti terror Secular after three and half hour fighting in the suburbs of Jowhar which is the only stronghold remained for the chased warlords. Inside the town people got out of their homes after Islamists militias poured chanting the word!! Alahu Akbar!! God is greatest. Local residents showed great support to the Islamists g giving them water to drink and congratulation to their victory. Shabelle correspondent in Jowhar said. Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, Chairman of Joint Islamic Courts gave his words t o the people in the Town after defeating his rival. Alahu Akbar Alahu Akbar Alahu Akbar sheik Sharif said talking to hundreds of locals who gathered at Jowhar football Stadium. The people in Jowhar have been freed from warlord that dictated people for along time he said adding that this is the glory of Allah. He also told people in jowhar that curfew is imposed at the town beginning 8:00 in the evening local time until down. Militias loyal to Mohamed Dhere who ruled the town fled to northern direction while details are not available about their real casualties. Somali Warlords lose political arena Mogadishu 14 June. 06 ( Sh.M.Network)Muse Sudi Yalahow and Bashir Rage Shirar have been reportedly withdrawn from the failed Anti Terror Secular in Mogadishu today after the last strong hold base for the warlords fall in the Islamic courts, elder said. Husein Sheik Ahmed Kadare a local elder from Abgal Clan, the same Muse Sudi and Bashir Rage descend but not confirmed by them. Dr. Kadare told local radio channels that Muse Sudi and Bashir Rage would not be Anti terror Alliance members any more from now on. We could not reach Muse Sudi and Rage for details. Dr. Kadare is among Mudulood politicians and local traditional elders who strived to stop the fighting in Mogadishu particularly northern frontlines. He said in a meeting by the elders and clan politicians today, they have demanded Sudi and Rage to halt Anti terror membership and simply accepted he added. When we asked them to withdraw from the failed alliance they simply accepted and wont be members any longer he said The statement came amid the latest blow to the warlords after one of the members broadcasted he is out of the Alliance. According to recent failures faced Anti terror Secular, American Supported warlords have lost motives and got out of Somali political arena, analysts said. Somali warlords completely failed to fight Islamists Nairobi 14 June. 06 ( Sh.M.Network) --Anti Terror Alliance members that have been defeated in the Capital fighting are leaving their rest strong hold positions after facing pressures from the Islamists advancing to Jowhar, some 90KMs north of Mogadishu. Reports from middle Shabelle Regions capital Jowhar, the only strong hold position outside Mogadishu for the Anti Terror Alliance members indicate that increasing war tensions around the area led warlords to leave the town last night, heading to El-Bur district of Gal-Gadud region. The members include Mohamed Qanyare Afrah, Bootaan Ise Alin and Abdi Nure Siad who was the last man to be defeated in the Capital. Sources told Shabelle Radio that at least fifteen armed vehicles have been escorting them to the region where previously engulfed Clan fighting. The move came after they received reports indicating imminent attack against Jowhar a resident said in condition of anonymity. The event clearly indicates the final blow to the American Supported Somali warlords who tried to defeat Islamic Courts in Mogadishu after four months of fierce fight that left more 350 dead and thousands wounded. |
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| Africa Horn | ||
| Islamic Fighters Seize Jowhar | ||
| 2006-06-14 | ||
 MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) - Islamic fighters on Wednesday drove secular militiamen out of a strategic town in southern Somalia following a brief firefight and the fleeing of militia leaders in the middle of the night, witnesses said. There were no immediate reports of casualties, but residents were fleeing for fear of unrest in the town of Jowhar, about 55 miles from the capital of Mogadishu, which the Islamic fighters seized from the secular militiamen last week.The Islamic Courts Union had been building up troops around Jowhar in recent days to finish off their rivals, the warlord-led Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counterterrorism. The town had been the alliance's last remaining stronghold in southern Somalia.
Just before morning prayers at dawn Wednesday, witnesses also reported skirmishes between some Islamic fighters and secular militiamen about 10 miles outside Jowhar. There were no casualties reported and the fighting stopped soon after. One alliance warlord, Issa Ahmed, said he was still in Jowhar - his hometown - and he would defend it if anybody attacked.
Mohamed Jama, a militiaman loyal to Qanyare, confirmed to The Associated Press that Qanyare and Allen had left Jowhar at night with some | ||
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| Africa Horn |
| Somalia: New Islamic court announced in Daynile district |
| 2006-06-06 |
| The Islamic courts' union has today officially declared an Islamic court in Daynile district in southwest of the capital where anti terror alliance was formed on February 2006 day after the sucked [sic] minister of national security Mohamed Qanyare Afrah withdrew his base Daynile and escape to Jowhar town of middle Shabelle region. The announcement of the Islamic court in Daynile came after district officials and Islamic courts union agreed on forming an Islamic court in the area. The commander of the new Islamic court in Daynile Sheik Abdulahi Moalim Nahar Abu-Uteyba told the media the capture of Daynile came after Mohamed Qanyare himself grasped that it had better to hand over his base to his Murarsade clan to avoid more bloodshed. After talks, militia officers of the former national security Mohamed Qanyare agreed to hand over their battlewagons of 25 vehicles to Islamic courts officials. The situation of Daynile district is now stable and fully controlled by Islamic courts union after three months of heavy clashes in which more than 300 people mostly civilians were killed and hundreds more injured and also thousands more displaced. Earlier Somali government announced that it sucked [sic] Qanyare and three ministers from the cabinet overnight after they were accused of breaking the interim charter and involved in bloody clashes with Islamic courts in Somali capital Mogadishu. |
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