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Eritrea arming Al Shabaab

By Standard Team and Agencies The possible role of Eritrea in supporting Al Shabaab insurgents has come into sharp focus after the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) confirmed that two aircraft landed in Baidoa with a consignment

By Standard Team and Agencies

The possible role of Eritrea in supporting Al Shabaab insurgents has come into sharp focus after the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) confirmed that two aircraft landed in Baidoa with a consignment of arms for the rebels.

Although KDF did not name the origin of the aircraft, chatter on many Somali Internet sites, quoting Al Shabaab, said they were Eritrean.

Kenya’s military now plans to strike Baidoa and has advised anyone with relatives and friends in the town to warn them of the imminent attack.

Hitting Baidoa and taking over the airstrip would cut off one of the key supply routes, apart from Kismayu port, for weapons to the militants.

On Tuesday, The Standard exclusively reported that aircraft suspected to be from Eritrea were spotted on Baidoa’s airstrip on Saturday under tight security from Al Shabaab.

Eritrea has been accused of pouring flames on the conflict in Somalia by flying in weapons and explosives to the militants using the airstrip in Baidoa, a town controlled by the militants.

During the invasion of Somalia by Ethiopia, Eritrea harboured leaders of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and its military wing, now Al Shabaab, and was accused by the United Nations of supplying them with weapons to fight a proxy war against Ethiopia.

On Tuesday, a member of Somalia’s Parliament, Mr Mahamud Abdulla, told a Somali news agency website that he witnessed over 10 vehicles from Baidoa airstrip enter a building in the area over the weekend.

He said Al Shabaab informants told him the weapons included heavy artillery and explosives.

In his daily briefing notes for the media, military spokesperson Major Emmanuel Chirchir, in addition to Baidoa, warned residents of Baadheere, Baydhabo, Dinsur, Afgooye, Bwale, Barawe, Jilib, Kismayu and Afmadow to beware and avoid being used as conduits for the weapons.

“In line with the Kenya Defence Forces Strategy of diminishing Al Shabaab effectiveness and weapon use, the aforementioned towns will remain under imminent attack. Residents in the towns are advised to avoid contact with Al Shabaab militia,” said Major Chirchir.

“The Kenya Defence Forces also urges anyone with relatives and friends in the aforementioned areas to advise them accordingly,” he noted.Al Shabaab are marshalling forces and digging in around Afmadow, where heavy rains, muddy terrain and the threat of landmines have made movement on the ground difficult.

Kenyan jets have been pounding Al Shabaab training camps around Afmadow ahead of a final battle that could be decisive, as far as Kenya’s and Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government’s (TFG’s) goal of moving on to capture Kismayu is concerned.

The immediate goal of the joint offensive is to clear Al Shabaab out of its strongholds in central and southern Somalia and put in place adminstrators friendly to both Kenya and the TFG. Kenya is tightening the diplomatic screws on Al Shabaab and its allies even as the insurgents prepare for a major showdown at their Afmadow base. Just a day after the Government announced it would ask the United Nations to assist in blockading the Somali port of Kismayu, Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Tuesday met a select group of diplomats and appraised them on the operation against the militants.

“Our joint forces have liberated a large portion of Jubaland are now assisting the civilian population to set up local administrative units. The towns that have been captured are now being put under civilian administration,” said Raila.

The two premiers were addressing the press outside Raila’s office in Nairobi, after a lengthy meeting with diplomats drawn from various countries that are in one way or another supporting the joint operation in Somalia. Raila reiterated their call that the International Criminal Court should investigate and indict Al Shabaab commanders for acts against humanity. And as the Kenya Defence Force (KDF) and troops from the TFG close in on the terrorists, international support from Africa and beyond is being marshalled to back the exercise dubbed “Operation Linda Nchi”.

The flurry of diplomatic activity is also meant to counter Al Shabaab’s propaganda machine, which has had a field day due to the scarcity of updates by the KDF on its military offensive.

Raila and Ali maintained they were fighting a common enemy and needed more support from the international community.

Raila said Kenya is not interested in occupying Somalia and will move its troops out as soon as the country gains stability.

“Our joint military operation has so far liberated a large portion of Jubaland and we are assisting civilian population on the ground,” said Raila. Ali said the Al Shabaab was a global problem that required support not only from Kenya and other African countries but also from the international community.

“We are succeeding with these efforts, we are facing a common enemy, and therefore we should have common strategy to defeat Al Shabaab,” he said.

Mohammed said the people of Somalia had suffered enough, and that they would need help from the international community to rebuild the country.

Raila said Kenya was ready to investigate claims by a humanitarian agency of civilian deaths in an air raid by Kenyan warplanes against the militants on Sunday.

“If there is any death that has occurred as a result of the military operation, it will be investigated thoroughly,” Raila told reporters. “It is not our intention to kill innocent civilians”. Aid agency Medicines Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) alleged that five civilians, including children, were killed when a bomb hit a camp in Jilib hosting some 9,000 displaced Somalis.

Aid agencies operate in the area only with permission from the terror outfit and there has been no independent confirmation of the claims that were widely reported by western news agencies.

A regional Shabaab official, Sheikh Abukar Ali Ada, put the death toll at 15 and vowed to avenge the attack.

But military spokesperson Major Chirchir said 10 Shabaab fighters were killed in the raid and the civilians died after a Shabaab vehicle mounted with an anti-aircraft gun and explosives was hit by the warplane and then driven into the camp where it exploded. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) urged all sides on Tuesday to respect civilian lives and said it had resumed food distribution to over 6,000 displaced people in the camp after a temporary suspension.

“The ICRC and the Somali Red Crescent remind all parties to the conflict of their obligation to spare the civilian population,” ICRC Somalia chief Pascal Mauchle said in a statement.

Raila cautioned Kenyans against singling out ethnic Somalis saying Al Shabaab terrorists were not limited to one ethnic group.

He also assured tourists visiting the country, and those planning to spend their Christmas holidays in Kenya that security had been enhanced.

“We have secured our vital installations, hotels and buildings. The country is more secure than before,” said the PM

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44 COMMENTS
  • simon haile November 2, 2011

    A stealth Eritrean plane invisible to the USA radars landed in Baidoa with a consignment of arms for the rebels.

    Good job Eritrean Air Force

  • guest November 2, 2011

    I just watched aljazeera interview an official from Somalia government and Ambssador Araya Desta, who is Ambassodor of Eritrean in UN.They have been interviewed about Eritrea’s accusation of delivering weapons to Alshababe. I was amazed how DIA CHOOSE his diplomat, and the guy is horrible not only speak broken english but he can not reiterate his ideas and answer. But I would appreciate the Somalia official, a young man around 30s who can deliver his answers precisely and calmly in addition he is fluent. But how can you win diplomacy without using the most talented people , i wonder who these guys run the country.

    • Huluf November 3, 2011

      guest,

      Do not be surprised. He dreads people like Hail Menkerios, Andebrehan to name a few…. PIA is the best diplomat, he is the best Engineer, he is the best doctor( remember Dr. Tekeste ),he is the best farmer, the best fisherman.,…the rest are all figure heads….he does not even know them or meet most of these diplomats….

      • Abdi November 4, 2011

        huluf-hulul
        indeed,what a doctor
        he reduced malaria by 83%, infant mortality under five by 63% ,HIV/AIDs to 0.8%, and he has doubled life expectancy to a 66 year average, which leads Sub-Sahara Africa and above all made Eritrea to be one of the only four African nations to meet the MDG,didn’t he?
        indeed he surprised the world in farming too:
        he has built nearly 400 big and small dams,he introduced irrigation system and modernized the agro-economy,fed the nation while neighbors like (Abay harei )ethiopia were starving,kicked NGO aid Orgs to avoid aid addiction,successful self reliance etc etc etc and above all he took Eritrea out of the aid dependants list,
        doesn’t he deserve to lead us?YES HE DOES
        tamr u tamr, zey natu ayhabkayon. Lebam ‘u zefelTo hulul hawey,

        • Huluf November 4, 2011

          Abdi Kebti wodi Halay,

          What kind of parents raised you to even allow you dare say in this great forum thanks to a an amazing courageous Eritrean that facilitates and let you give your halay zereba like your parents raised you….every cynical word you use oozes who you are and who where those that thought you to surrender to power like DIA……what makes Eritrean is we told Italians is we are governomentless….and the Italians with all their powe did not touch the HIGI INDEABA(your parents did not teach hence the difference you obey I do not…I am the governoment and the govermoment listens to my dictations with my people)…(contd’)

  • Semhar November 2, 2011

    It’s about time for USA
    to DISTROY the PFDJ the terrorist organization with their dinky planes whereever they are.

    Gaddafi is dead Isayas is next!

    Yes we can DISTROY the dictator ISAYAS and his terrorist organization the PFDJ where ever they are.
    Yes we will DISTROY the dictator ISAYAS and his terrorist organization the PFDJ where ever they are.
    Eritrea will be free soon!

    – The international community’s talking peace and carrying big stick [sanctions] is having an effect.
    – The Eritrean people are beginning to realize that there is no point in waiting for the regime to reform itself — that it needs to be overthrow.
    This is the moment we must come together to save our land and our people.

    Let freedom ring in Akeleguzay!
    Let freedom ring in Barka!
    Let freedom ring in Denkel!
    Let freedom ring in Hamasien!
    Let freedom ring in Sahil!
    Let freedom ring in Semhar!
    Let freedom ring in Senhit!
    Let freedom ring in Seraye!

    Let freedom ring in ERITREA!

    Let freedom ring allover Eritrea!
    Let’s LIVE FREE OR DIE with dignity.
    Our martyrs did not die to crown the tyrant.
    We must reclaim our flag, our constitution, Highi Indaba, our land (our original provinces), our people, and our culture.
    DISTROY the dictator ISAYAS and his terrorist organization the PFDJ where ever they are.
    Eritrea will be free soon!

  • guest November 2, 2011

    I am not sure if the planes were from Eritrea. I even questioned given the volatile condition if Eritrea involves in this activity because of the looming sanction. But the accuastations and the timing of the attack of the Kenya army into alshebab , the 100 military advisers sent from USA and the introduction of drones in Ethiopia, signals something coming to Eritrea.If something found that associated Eritrea the attack against Eritrea is imminent from Ethiopia or USA.

    I can feel something coming to the region but after abuse of the youth i do not care if PFDJ is penalized for risking the future of the youth.

  • Tess November 2, 2011

    Amanuel Eyassu of (assana) the father of all Evils dip down you know Eritrea has never suppor Alshabab the plane is not Eritrean plane. You know Eritrea is in devolopment program, if you see last week more than 100 water pamp given to war vetrans.Assana you have one and only one dream the distraction and war in Eritrea that makes you #1 hated eritrean web.

    • guest November 2, 2011

      Tess,

      Do not blame demo.archive.assenna.com. or Amanuel, just go to aljazeera , the news is there where the Eritrean Ambassador and the Deputy prime minister of Somalia being interviewed about the event. It was evident there are two planes in the airport but it is not confirmed where they come from but rumors from their intelligence said that the people are Eritreans, but still he said that they are trying to confirm. Having said that Eritrean ambassador denies any help to shebab but he still argue that no one should interfere in Somalia affair. It should be reminded recently the cabinet minister passed a resoultion to ship food and other necessities to Somalia. This shows that how arrogant is the regime, so i will take this information with the grain of salt.

      But trust me , they do not pin their fingers without any evidence at least there might be monetary help through some cahnnels as kenya also accuse Eritrea transferring money through Eritrean Embassy in Kenya. Even Kenya’s are mad about Eritrea intervention as they are seriously threatened through kidnapping and Nairobi explosion by Alshebab militants.

  • Popular Front for Dictatorship and Jail November 3, 2011

    now the cancer of Peace Isayas is making his day shorten, while there are touch sanction on discussion to take on the silly and tyrant regime, he adds this oil into the fire.
    Eritrea will send food aid to Somalia… oh yeah now the foods are weapons…
    thanks Isayas you are totally loosing the fight of diplomacy…. zero zero zeroooooooooooooooooo
    so this cancer regime Popular Front for Dictatorship and Jail(PFDJ) is paving his way to his end of time.
    Isayas cancer of our country as well as our region must go either he loves it or hate it…

  • tuta November 4, 2011

    i can,t imagine that happens factisc if hgdef didi this thing realy they are 100%sick .automaticly they must leave the tron for eritrean poeple.they can,t lead eritrea farthermore

  • Huluf November 4, 2011

    cont….
    and the Italians with all their powe did not touch the HIGI INDEABA(your parents unless you grew up in Asmara like many in the top echelon of our current governoment….NO ITALIAN EVER ADMINSTERED ANY RURAL PART of ERITREA…..they left this beautiful culture run itself….pity your parents did not teach you ….mine did.(colonialist yet human enough to admire this culture of self-rule , am not surprised they come from an era of Leonardo Da Vinci if you have sense of Gloabl Hisotry)…..even better the British put the Higi Indeab put it in writing….poor thing you lack a background in this amazing culture and somehow you found your self in this beautiful land of blessed souls….It is so telling and I do not want to offend other good people I have already put you exactly where you hale from…you have no attachement to the history of this land since it’s inception pre-Eritrea coined by Italy….The people living in this land existed with rich history prior to when ITALY called it Eritrea…I am sure you have no idea what I am talking about……Italians called this state Eritrea…but we are ancient as it gets sociologicalluy, historically and even spiritually(religious history)……poor thing you lack a background like DIA…the reason he is restless even after this great people in the land of Eritrea almost idolised and loved him….recall when he got a cerbreal malaria!!!…to be cont’d

    • Huluf November 4, 2011

      Abdi,

      cont….
      !!!… but it is not about DIA because I know him more than you except that now I can exactly feel your complexity….please take a deep breath and learn what is this land called Eritrea….what was it before it was called Eritrea…by the way so called Ethiopian king Menelik agreed a border with Eritrea…the reason Ethiopia is suffering forever…you seem to suffer from that agony without even realising it….ask yourself who am I …If your parents did not give you the basis as to who you are what a missed opportunity…..? stop continuing the pain…heal yourself…the rest is a long history…you will not even begin to understand.

      • Abdi November 5, 2011

        Huluf
        I m not 100% the govt’s policy supporter,however i agree with most and disagree with some of it,in your case every step the gov’t takes is wrong which is denial and illogical,
        your parents failed to teach you that you can’t conquer ppl’s heart forcibly,and its inappropriate to insult my parents and lecture me that long to convince me,simply if you admit the good work of somebody and criticize the bad,you both will reach a point of agreement.
        Blindness is ignoring the facts infront of you for hatred or personal
        motivated reasons, so admit isayas’s good work and i will back
        you against the bad part, simple as that.
        weqiEka aytrtaE,

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