LoungeMachine
06-05-2006, 10:55 AM
Islamic militia claims it has captured Somali capital
The Associated Press
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2006
MOGADISHU, Somalia An Islamic militia that wants to establish a fundamentalist government in Somalia said Monday it has seized control of the capital, after weeks of some of the bloodiest fighting in 15 years of anarchy in this Horn of Africa nation.
The militia, whose growing power is raising fears that Somalia could follow the path of Taliban Afghanistan into the hands of al-Qaida, appeared in control of Mogadishu.
"We want to restore peace and stability to Mogadishu. We are ready to meet and talk anybody and any group for the interest of the people," Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, chairman of the Islamic Courts Union, said on a radio broadcast.
The militia has been battling a secular alliance of warlords for control of the country, and their fighting has grown increasingly violent since February. More than 300 people have been killed and 1,700 wounded, many of them civilians caught in the crossfire.
The United States is widely believed to be backing the alliance in an attempt to root out members of al-Qaida who might be operating in the Horn of Africa, but American officials have refused to confirm or deny that. The U.S. has carried out no direct action in Somalia since the deaths of 18 servicemen in a 1993 battle made famous by the film "Black Hawk Down."
The Islamic militants are the first group to consolidate control over all of Mogadishu's clan-divided neighborhoods since the collapse of the last government in 1991, giving them enormous political and economic power in Somalia.
Attempts to reach leaders of the secular alliance were not immediately successful. Most of them appeared to have fled the city by Monday afternoon. The fundamentalists accuse the alliance of working for the CIA, while the alliance says the militias have links to al-Qaida.
The two sides began competing for influence after a U.N.-backed interim government slowly began to gain international recognition. But the interim government has failed to assert control outside its base in Baidoa, 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Mogadishu. The government has not even been able to enter the capital because of the violence.
Still, interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi recently fired four powerful warlords who were serving as ministers, leaving the alliance without any support in the government.
In the past, Islamic leaders have denounced the interim government, insisting that any new law be based on Islamic scripture. How the government will react to Monday's development was not immediately clear, but both the president and prime minister have rejected suggestions of forming an Islamic republic.
Somalia, an impoverished country of 8 million, has been divided into rival fiefdoms since 1991, when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
MOGADISHU, Somalia An Islamic militia that wants to establish a fundamentalist government in Somalia said Monday it has seized control of the capital, after weeks of some of the bloodiest fighting in 15 years of anarchy in this Horn of Africa nation.
The militia, whose growing power is raising fears that Somalia could follow the path of Taliban Afghanistan into the hands of al-Qaida, appeared in control of Mogadishu.
"We want to restore peace and stability to Mogadishu. We are ready to meet and talk anybody and any group for the interest of the people," Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, chairman of the Islamic Courts Union, said on a radio broadcast.
The militia has been battling a secular alliance of warlords for control of the country, and their fighting has grown increasingly violent since February. More than 300 people have been killed and 1,700 wounded, many of them civilians caught in the crossfire.
The United States is widely believed to be backing the alliance in an attempt to root out members of al-Qaida who might be operating in the Horn of Africa, but American officials have refused to confirm or deny that. The U.S. has carried out no direct action in Somalia since the deaths of 18 servicemen in a 1993 battle made famous by the film "Black Hawk Down."
The Islamic militants are the first group to consolidate control over all of Mogadishu's clan-divided neighborhoods since the collapse of the last government in 1991, giving them enormous political and economic power in Somalia.
Attempts to reach leaders of the secular alliance were not immediately successful. Most of them appeared to have fled the city by Monday afternoon. The fundamentalists accuse the alliance of working for the CIA, while the alliance says the militias have links to al-Qaida.
The two sides began competing for influence after a U.N.-backed interim government slowly began to gain international recognition. But the interim government has failed to assert control outside its base in Baidoa, 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Mogadishu. The government has not even been able to enter the capital because of the violence.
Still, interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi recently fired four powerful warlords who were serving as ministers, leaving the alliance without any support in the government.
In the past, Islamic leaders have denounced the interim government, insisting that any new law be based on Islamic scripture. How the government will react to Monday's development was not immediately clear, but both the president and prime minister have rejected suggestions of forming an Islamic republic.
Somalia, an impoverished country of 8 million, has been divided into rival fiefdoms since 1991, when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
MOGADISHU, Somalia An Islamic militia that wants to establish a fundamentalist government in Somalia said Monday it has seized control of the capital, after weeks of some of the bloodiest fighting in 15 years of anarchy in this Horn of Africa nation.
The militia, whose growing power is raising fears that Somalia could follow the path of Taliban Afghanistan into the hands of al-Qaida, appeared in control of Mogadishu.
"We want to restore peace and stability to Mogadishu. We are ready to meet and talk anybody and any group for the interest of the people," Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, chairman of the Islamic Courts Union, said on a radio broadcast.
The militia has been battling a secular alliance of warlords for control of the country, and their fighting has grown increasingly violent since February. More than 300 people have been killed and 1,700 wounded, many of them civilians caught in the crossfire.
The United States is widely believed to be backing the alliance in an attempt to root out members of al-Qaida who might be operating in the Horn of Africa, but American officials have refused to confirm or deny that. The U.S. has carried out no direct action in Somalia since the deaths of 18 servicemen in a 1993 battle made famous by the film "Black Hawk Down."
The Islamic militants are the first group to consolidate control over all of Mogadishu's clan-divided neighborhoods since the collapse of the last government in 1991, giving them enormous political and economic power in Somalia.
Attempts to reach leaders of the secular alliance were not immediately successful. Most of them appeared to have fled the city by Monday afternoon. The fundamentalists accuse the alliance of working for the CIA, while the alliance says the militias have links to al-Qaida.
The two sides began competing for influence after a U.N.-backed interim government slowly began to gain international recognition. But the interim government has failed to assert control outside its base in Baidoa, 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Mogadishu. The government has not even been able to enter the capital because of the violence.
Still, interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi recently fired four powerful warlords who were serving as ministers, leaving the alliance without any support in the government.
In the past, Islamic leaders have denounced the interim government, insisting that any new law be based on Islamic scripture. How the government will react to Monday's development was not immediately clear, but both the president and prime minister have rejected suggestions of forming an Islamic republic.
Somalia, an impoverished country of 8 million, has been divided into rival fiefdoms since 1991, when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
MOGADISHU, Somalia An Islamic militia that wants to establish a fundamentalist government in Somalia said Monday it has seized control of the capital, after weeks of some of the bloodiest fighting in 15 years of anarchy in this Horn of Africa nation.
The militia, whose growing power is raising fears that Somalia could follow the path of Taliban Afghanistan into the hands of al-Qaida, appeared in control of Mogadishu.
"We want to restore peace and stability to Mogadishu. We are ready to meet and talk anybody and any group for the interest of the people," Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, chairman of the Islamic Courts Union, said on a radio broadcast.
The militia has been battling a secular alliance of warlords for control of the country, and their fighting has grown increasingly violent since February. More than 300 people have been killed and 1,700 wounded, many of them civilians caught in the crossfire.
The United States is widely believed to be backing the alliance in an attempt to root out members of al-Qaida who might be operating in the Horn of Africa, but American officials have refused to confirm or deny that. The U.S. has carried out no direct action in Somalia since the deaths of 18 servicemen in a 1993 battle made famous by the film "Black Hawk Down."
The Islamic militants are the first group to consolidate control over all of Mogadishu's clan-divided neighborhoods since the collapse of the last government in 1991, giving them enormous political and economic power in Somalia.
Attempts to reach leaders of the secular alliance were not immediately successful. Most of them appeared to have fled the city by Monday afternoon. The fundamentalists accuse the alliance of working for the CIA, while the alliance says the militias have links to al-Qaida.
The two sides began competing for influence after a U.N.-backed interim government slowly began to gain international recognition. But the interim government has failed to assert control outside its base in Baidoa, 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Mogadishu. The government has not even been able to enter the capital because of the violence.
Still, interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi recently fired four powerful warlords who were serving as ministers, leaving the alliance without any support in the government.
In the past, Islamic leaders have denounced the interim government, insisting that any new law be based on Islamic scripture. How the government will react to Monday's development was not immediately clear, but both the president and prime minister have rejected suggestions of forming an Islamic republic.
Somalia, an impoverished country of 8 million, has been divided into rival fiefdoms since 1991, when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
The Associated Press
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2006
MOGADISHU, Somalia An Islamic militia that wants to establish a fundamentalist government in Somalia said Monday it has seized control of the capital, after weeks of some of the bloodiest fighting in 15 years of anarchy in this Horn of Africa nation.
The militia, whose growing power is raising fears that Somalia could follow the path of Taliban Afghanistan into the hands of al-Qaida, appeared in control of Mogadishu.
"We want to restore peace and stability to Mogadishu. We are ready to meet and talk anybody and any group for the interest of the people," Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, chairman of the Islamic Courts Union, said on a radio broadcast.
The militia has been battling a secular alliance of warlords for control of the country, and their fighting has grown increasingly violent since February. More than 300 people have been killed and 1,700 wounded, many of them civilians caught in the crossfire.
The United States is widely believed to be backing the alliance in an attempt to root out members of al-Qaida who might be operating in the Horn of Africa, but American officials have refused to confirm or deny that. The U.S. has carried out no direct action in Somalia since the deaths of 18 servicemen in a 1993 battle made famous by the film "Black Hawk Down."
The Islamic militants are the first group to consolidate control over all of Mogadishu's clan-divided neighborhoods since the collapse of the last government in 1991, giving them enormous political and economic power in Somalia.
Attempts to reach leaders of the secular alliance were not immediately successful. Most of them appeared to have fled the city by Monday afternoon. The fundamentalists accuse the alliance of working for the CIA, while the alliance says the militias have links to al-Qaida.
The two sides began competing for influence after a U.N.-backed interim government slowly began to gain international recognition. But the interim government has failed to assert control outside its base in Baidoa, 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Mogadishu. The government has not even been able to enter the capital because of the violence.
Still, interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi recently fired four powerful warlords who were serving as ministers, leaving the alliance without any support in the government.
In the past, Islamic leaders have denounced the interim government, insisting that any new law be based on Islamic scripture. How the government will react to Monday's development was not immediately clear, but both the president and prime minister have rejected suggestions of forming an Islamic republic.
Somalia, an impoverished country of 8 million, has been divided into rival fiefdoms since 1991, when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
MOGADISHU, Somalia An Islamic militia that wants to establish a fundamentalist government in Somalia said Monday it has seized control of the capital, after weeks of some of the bloodiest fighting in 15 years of anarchy in this Horn of Africa nation.
The militia, whose growing power is raising fears that Somalia could follow the path of Taliban Afghanistan into the hands of al-Qaida, appeared in control of Mogadishu.
"We want to restore peace and stability to Mogadishu. We are ready to meet and talk anybody and any group for the interest of the people," Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, chairman of the Islamic Courts Union, said on a radio broadcast.
The militia has been battling a secular alliance of warlords for control of the country, and their fighting has grown increasingly violent since February. More than 300 people have been killed and 1,700 wounded, many of them civilians caught in the crossfire.
The United States is widely believed to be backing the alliance in an attempt to root out members of al-Qaida who might be operating in the Horn of Africa, but American officials have refused to confirm or deny that. The U.S. has carried out no direct action in Somalia since the deaths of 18 servicemen in a 1993 battle made famous by the film "Black Hawk Down."
The Islamic militants are the first group to consolidate control over all of Mogadishu's clan-divided neighborhoods since the collapse of the last government in 1991, giving them enormous political and economic power in Somalia.
Attempts to reach leaders of the secular alliance were not immediately successful. Most of them appeared to have fled the city by Monday afternoon. The fundamentalists accuse the alliance of working for the CIA, while the alliance says the militias have links to al-Qaida.
The two sides began competing for influence after a U.N.-backed interim government slowly began to gain international recognition. But the interim government has failed to assert control outside its base in Baidoa, 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Mogadishu. The government has not even been able to enter the capital because of the violence.
Still, interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi recently fired four powerful warlords who were serving as ministers, leaving the alliance without any support in the government.
In the past, Islamic leaders have denounced the interim government, insisting that any new law be based on Islamic scripture. How the government will react to Monday's development was not immediately clear, but both the president and prime minister have rejected suggestions of forming an Islamic republic.
Somalia, an impoverished country of 8 million, has been divided into rival fiefdoms since 1991, when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
MOGADISHU, Somalia An Islamic militia that wants to establish a fundamentalist government in Somalia said Monday it has seized control of the capital, after weeks of some of the bloodiest fighting in 15 years of anarchy in this Horn of Africa nation.
The militia, whose growing power is raising fears that Somalia could follow the path of Taliban Afghanistan into the hands of al-Qaida, appeared in control of Mogadishu.
"We want to restore peace and stability to Mogadishu. We are ready to meet and talk anybody and any group for the interest of the people," Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, chairman of the Islamic Courts Union, said on a radio broadcast.
The militia has been battling a secular alliance of warlords for control of the country, and their fighting has grown increasingly violent since February. More than 300 people have been killed and 1,700 wounded, many of them civilians caught in the crossfire.
The United States is widely believed to be backing the alliance in an attempt to root out members of al-Qaida who might be operating in the Horn of Africa, but American officials have refused to confirm or deny that. The U.S. has carried out no direct action in Somalia since the deaths of 18 servicemen in a 1993 battle made famous by the film "Black Hawk Down."
The Islamic militants are the first group to consolidate control over all of Mogadishu's clan-divided neighborhoods since the collapse of the last government in 1991, giving them enormous political and economic power in Somalia.
Attempts to reach leaders of the secular alliance were not immediately successful. Most of them appeared to have fled the city by Monday afternoon. The fundamentalists accuse the alliance of working for the CIA, while the alliance says the militias have links to al-Qaida.
The two sides began competing for influence after a U.N.-backed interim government slowly began to gain international recognition. But the interim government has failed to assert control outside its base in Baidoa, 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Mogadishu. The government has not even been able to enter the capital because of the violence.
Still, interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi recently fired four powerful warlords who were serving as ministers, leaving the alliance without any support in the government.
In the past, Islamic leaders have denounced the interim government, insisting that any new law be based on Islamic scripture. How the government will react to Monday's development was not immediately clear, but both the president and prime minister have rejected suggestions of forming an Islamic republic.
Somalia, an impoverished country of 8 million, has been divided into rival fiefdoms since 1991, when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
MOGADISHU, Somalia An Islamic militia that wants to establish a fundamentalist government in Somalia said Monday it has seized control of the capital, after weeks of some of the bloodiest fighting in 15 years of anarchy in this Horn of Africa nation.
The militia, whose growing power is raising fears that Somalia could follow the path of Taliban Afghanistan into the hands of al-Qaida, appeared in control of Mogadishu.
"We want to restore peace and stability to Mogadishu. We are ready to meet and talk anybody and any group for the interest of the people," Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, chairman of the Islamic Courts Union, said on a radio broadcast.
The militia has been battling a secular alliance of warlords for control of the country, and their fighting has grown increasingly violent since February. More than 300 people have been killed and 1,700 wounded, many of them civilians caught in the crossfire.
The United States is widely believed to be backing the alliance in an attempt to root out members of al-Qaida who might be operating in the Horn of Africa, but American officials have refused to confirm or deny that. The U.S. has carried out no direct action in Somalia since the deaths of 18 servicemen in a 1993 battle made famous by the film "Black Hawk Down."
The Islamic militants are the first group to consolidate control over all of Mogadishu's clan-divided neighborhoods since the collapse of the last government in 1991, giving them enormous political and economic power in Somalia.
Attempts to reach leaders of the secular alliance were not immediately successful. Most of them appeared to have fled the city by Monday afternoon. The fundamentalists accuse the alliance of working for the CIA, while the alliance says the militias have links to al-Qaida.
The two sides began competing for influence after a U.N.-backed interim government slowly began to gain international recognition. But the interim government has failed to assert control outside its base in Baidoa, 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Mogadishu. The government has not even been able to enter the capital because of the violence.
Still, interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi recently fired four powerful warlords who were serving as ministers, leaving the alliance without any support in the government.
In the past, Islamic leaders have denounced the interim government, insisting that any new law be based on Islamic scripture. How the government will react to Monday's development was not immediately clear, but both the president and prime minister have rejected suggestions of forming an Islamic republic.
Somalia, an impoverished country of 8 million, has been divided into rival fiefdoms since 1991, when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.