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Disappearing Act in Mogadishu

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Posted on Dec 28, 2006
Islamist rally
theepochtimes.com

Supporters of the Islamic alliance attend a rally in Mogadishu in June, 2006.

Despite a vow to fight to the death, Islamist leaders and their troops have mysteriously vanished from the streets of Mogadishu, according to residents there. The Ethiopian army, in support of the powerless transitional government, had driven the Somali fighters back to their stronghold and the nation’s traditional capital after a wave of devastating attacks.

New York Times:

NAIROBI, Kenya—The Islamist forces who have controlled much of Somalia in recent months suddenly vanished from the streets of the capital, Mogadishu, residents said Wednesday night, just as thousands of rival troops massed 15 miles away.

In the past few days, Ethiopian-backed forces, with tacit approval from the United States, have unleashed tanks, helicopter gunships and jet fighters on the Islamists, decimating their military and paving the way for the internationally recognized transitional government of Somalia to assert control.

Even so, the Islamists, who have been regarded as a regional menace by Ethiopia and the United States, had repeatedly vowed to fight to the death for their religion and their land, making their disappearance that much more unexpected.

Fortified checkpoints across the city—in front of the radio station, at the airport, at the main roads leading into Mogadishu and outside police stations—were abruptly abandoned Wednesday night, residents said.

Many of the teenage troops who made up the backbone of the Islamist army had blended back into the civilian population, walking around without guns or their trademark green skullcaps.

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By Spinoza, December 28, 2006 at 10:08 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

See Thursdays Democracy Now

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By vet240, December 28, 2006 at 7:15 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

The world is flat, due to the advent of the internet.

Everybody now understands how to conduct a Gorilla War. Never commit to a major action against superior weapons. Conduct terrorist raids from hiding. Operate in small loosely connected groups for added security. Make the enemy expend it’s wealth and resources looking for and killing small targets. stay the course. In time the enemy will lose the will and resources to continue.

So what is the Industrial nations to do? Assure a fair dispersal of resources. Be pro-active in specific locals when extra assistance is needed.

Oh, stop the manufacture and sale of small arms and explosives in all countries. Forget about the Nuclear threat, it’s the AK 47’s stupid!

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By Kavika LoveAll, December 28, 2006 at 6:07 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

To Francois,
Who are you referring to when you write f-ing monkeys? The whole situation in the northern regions of Africa is so volatile it’s like another planet almost. Does anyone see any remote parallels with the escalation between ethiopia and somolia and the crimes against humanity being commited between chad and sudan in the darfur region? hmmmmm...let us all be ever-watchful/mindful of the distraction tactics being used/projected by these corporate media war-monger modern day vampires whose thirst for blood is never satisfied. The dark cabal of nations/monarchies who sponsor the global military industrial complex are about to be ensnared in their own web of deceit and discord, all of them busy trying to cover their own asses, desperately trying to negotiate a way out of their dark and empty lives, devoid of beauty, peace and unity. Humanity will do more than just endure these lasta days of diabolical treachery and needless suffering. THere is more than silver lining here, but the biggest silver vein ever revealed! and it’s been right under Humanities nose all this time. Let’s stick together and observe! Humanites true history, kept secret by these same nations/monarchies/theocracies for centuries & millenniumns is about to be revealed! i mean literally, the lid is about to be blown off! The liberation of planet Earth and Humanity (and all Life inside and on the surface) is at hand. We’re already in the twelth hour!

Peace & Inner Strength through Unity!

Love Kavika

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By Nor, December 28, 2006 at 1:08 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

I dont think US will go there. Theres no oil.

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By Francois, December 28, 2006 at 11:12 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

We should have finished the job the first time.
Kill them all and let god sort them out.
And NO, we should not send our troops over there unless they can do what they train for, KILLING. and let the best men come home. FKing monkeys.

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