Matthew Lee
Thursday, November 02, 2006
NAIROBI (AFP) - The supreme leader of Somalia's powerful Islamist movement has purportedly authorized suicide attacks against "prominent" targets in Kenya and Ethiopia, the United States said.
As the Islamists and weak Somali government gird for war after the collapse of peace talks, the US embassies in Nairobi and Addis Ababa warned Americans "to use extreme" caution while in Kenya and Ethiopia, citing the threat.
They said they had information about "reports of terrorist threats emanating from extremist elements within Somalia, which target Kenya, Ethiopia, and other surrounding countries."
"These threats specifically mention the execution of suicide explosions in prominent landmarks within Kenya and Ethiopia," the embassies said in notices sent to US citizens in the two countries.
"American citizens are advised to remain vigilant and to use extreme caution when frequenting prominent public places," said the warnings, issued as Nairobi prepares to host some 6,000 foreign visitors at a UN climate change conference.
An official with the US embassy in Nairobi said the warning was prompted by postings on Somali websites purported to come from Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, the Islamists' supreme leader.
The statements attributed to Aweys, a hardline cleric designated a "terrorist" by the United States for alleged ties with Al-Qaeda, authorize attacks in Kenya and Ethiopia, the official said.
"They say that he condones suicide operations," said the official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that Washington had not verified the authenticity of the threat but was taking it seriously.
Another embassy official said no specific targets were identified for attack by the postings that referred to public areas where large numbers of people gather in Kenya, Ethiopia and unnamed other countries in the region.
Islamist officials in the Somali capital Mogadishu referred questions about the matter to Aweys, who could not immediately be reached for comment.
Aweys has in the past denied any connection to terrorism and rejected US accusations that the Islamists are harboring Al-Qaeda suspects wanted over the deadly 1998 bombings of its embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
The US warning comes as the Islamists have declared "jihad", or holy war, on neighboring Ethiopia for allegedly sending thousands of troops to Somalia to back the government and accused Kenya of siding with Ethiopia.
Both Kenya and Ethiopia favor the deployment of regional peacekeepers -- vehemently opposed by the Islamists -- to help the government, whose limited authority is increasingly threatened.
The deteriorating situation in Somalia has sparked fears of an all-out war that could engulf the Horn of Africa in wider conflict, possibly drawing in Ethiopia and its arch-foe neighbor Eritrea, accused of backing the Islamists.
Earlier this year, a covert US program to support Somali warlords battling the Islamists for control of Mogadishu failed disastrously when the capital fell after months of fierce fighting.
The Islamists have since rapidly expanded their territory to include most of southern and central Somalia, where they have imposed strict Sharia law, fuelling concern of a Taliban-style takeover of the lawless country.
Source: AFP, Nov 2, 2006
Dear Fjshillin,
Please do not get offended by comments posted on this website, and noone is questioning your religious attitudes. What people are questioning is your understanding of the current situation in our beloved Somalia. Focusing on mainstream media reports will have people talking just liek you, because they are being forced-fed propoganda from the Ethiopian Regime. In your post you talked of our beloved neighbors and americans. I am an American and let be be the first to tell you that they don't care about the well being of the Somali people on the Somali's do, and the Ethiopians are even worse. These foreign powers are engaged in a smear campaign against the UIC to gain support to attack and divide Somalia so our country can be exploited. Is the UIC perfect? NO but we must learn together and grow with the help of Allah that my friend is our only chance.
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Nuradin. I dont think you can teach me our religion may be I am more religious and more nationalistic than you. Please, dont be tribalistic.
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Harti and Fjshillin; It’s very miserable that you wrote such statement, but my advise to you is “please learn who you are first, and consider your faith is important then clan and political issues” It’s the fact that Ethiopia is an enemy to our country, and those who have the same ideology are also enemies to our people. Our faith/religion tells us not to kill innocent people with any means, but we have (us human being) the right to defend our lives and country if the enemy attacks us and this is the right of every nation/society. Next time you post something please consider that you are Somali and you have a religion which is a clear constitution for human being to follow. All we want is peace in our country and the only way that we can have this is to follow what Allah revealed to prophet Mohamed my peace be upon him, which is peace and fairness to all man kind. Thanks for reading
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Everything is possible from these war-mongers and aficionades becouse they even killed the wounded and emanciated 5 somali nationals in Bu'alle ,southern Somalia. Hassan Turki is the man who arranged the Nairobi August bomb and Aweis also co-ordinated the Addis ababa hotel bombing in 1990's.
These poeple have reached kenyan and ethiopian Borders and they are more able right now to strike again our beloved Neighbors and Americans.
Wax kasta waa ka suuroobaan dadkii laayay maxaabiis dhaawac ah oo aan sariiraha ka kici karin oo weliba Soomaali ah, u malaynmaayo ianay caano u kabanaayaan inay ajnabiga iyo deriskana inay laayaan. Kuwaani waa masiibo Soomaali la soo daristay hadda.
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most of this TFG officials, they are on ethiopian intelligence pay roll so one shuold understand this.
qoraha la magac baxey harti. walaale abdullahi yusuf waa adeerkee waxaana ku leeyahey dowladda uu madaxda u yahey wax ka jira ma laha ayagaa is doortey kuligooda waa gangs. hadeey sax tahey ma sheegi kartaa cidda dooratey?
on the other hand, these western medias such as AFB,will tell you only what ever USA likes to hear, so warkooda wax ka soo qaad ma lahan anaga unbeey isku dirayaan.
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I think, when it comes protecting our country, we should use all means. every options should be on the table.
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Where did Sh Hassan say this? Its total fabrication!
Waa intee meesha aay kuqoran tahay arintan?
War Soomaliyeey maan iska qabano cadowgeena oo noo adeegsanaayo dad magac soomali wato sida Warlord Abdullahi Yussuf?
Waa in aan dalkeena difaacanaa, Xassan Dahir kaligii malahn, waa hadaan karun sheegeeyno.
Meesha Taarikh ayaa laqori sidii tii Sh Moxamed Cabdille Xassan?
Yaa wadankii iibsani?
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Well, all we heard from the UIC is Jihad here Jihad there, I knew this would become an issue that others are noticing very late. When one group all they have done is invade different places in Somalia and they have said they will attack more regions and war ragging in many places, what you expect, this will expediate the urgency foriegn troops will be sent to Somalia. I wouldn't be surprised if next week UN arms embargo gets lifted.
Maxkamadaha guuxoodii ayay ka dheereeyen, Amerikan iwm ama Wadamo kale in isku dhex dagaalan wadankeena dhexdiisa ayagaa ka masuul ah. Sida tii ku dhacday talibankii Afghanistaan.
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Infidels led by American Devil are trying to invade our country, this article of AFP based on false information and US trying to use these sorts of propaganda to give green light for black evils and their weak slaves to wage war ICU.
These are common in western medias to exaggerate unfound information and US already had planned to attack throughout and support of Ethiopia and banging drums behind close door.
Only illiterate, misguided, uninformed and none nationalists Somalis consider these sorts information are true but most of us knew about western how evil they are and considering these informaton are nonsense and baseless allegation towards ICU.
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They used suicide car in baidao on Abdullahi Yusif. What
prevents the UIC not to export to Kenya or Ethiopia. We were
very close to have a government in Somalia, but the Eyre-led fanatics do
not want.
from now on is war. TFG is not powerless, but it was created to peacfully
create a government. But Abdullahi Yusif became really soft.
He is not known to solve issues peacefully. I am surprised that it took him this long
to see that Eyre-Howiye led ICU only understand bullets.
You guys going to see a real war. He is not like Morgan or Barre Hiralle.
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Let's calm down people. We did hear Mr. Aweys saying anything about the threat. I'm sure he will comment on it soon. So let's wait and see of what he has to say!
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I thought I know all Somali websites, atleast most read ones.
Where can I find this website that has the threat? I think Ancle Sam is already starting the psychological war to
put pressure on UIC!
I'm also wondering the powerless TFG loosers are talking worst rubbish these days!
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UIC should calm down, and if they are sincere of thier peace restoration for Somalis they have to take one step at a time. The way UIC is advancing and excuting the war looks like an agression and out of controll. In this aggression style you do more harm than benefit, and it looks that you have a hidden agenda. To me the future of UIC will be chaos because of war-driven-mentality. For instance, we heard someone was killed in the Month of Ramadan for not fasting, we heard three wounded prisoners killed in Hospital. Why these all happening, beacause of war, war, war mentality. My suggestion to UIC: stop war mentality, and try to make peace and prosperity i n the areas you control now, and then Somali people will evaluate the true picture of UIC, otherwise something is not right.
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It is very clear that the above statement by "AFP" is nothing, but another dirty tricks disinformation, dictated by the fabricated state of Ethiopia!!!
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Hello! wake up brother. With those nut cases
in charge of a large portion of Southern Somalia
every thing is possible. I have no doubt in my
mind that Hassan Aweys is capable of attempting
to do so. It was his fellow nut case jihadist
Hassan Turki who was saying couple days ago that
they will capture Puntland, Somaliland, Jabuti,
Ethiopia and NFD.
My fellow country men, we are facing the greatest
peril of all times in Somalia. If we do not challenge
Dahir Aweys and his sick mentality our country may
end up to become another Afganistan!!!
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It's very clear that this statement is false, because we know the fact that the Somalia Islamic courts have many things to do in Somalia' Instead killing civilian people in other countries. But we Somalis need to realize that our enemy is trying to get support from the West by saying Somali Islamic Courts are treat to the international Community. The sad part of this situation is that the West will believe Ethopia and support it that way, but the good thing is that The Courts have the full support of Somalian Citizens, and Allah will be with those who are the true believers all the time. Let's pray for our country and support what is right for our future.
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What a fabrication? All the information coming so far from AFP seems to be from Ethiopian intelligence.
I am sure UIC are not that stupid to export their war to Kenya and mainland Ethiopia when their country is occupied by Ethiopian soldiers.
If war breaks between Somalia and Ethiopian armies, desperate Zenawi could try to bomb his own capital to earn the support of the west who are wary of suicide bombing. Somalis love their country and they will teach a good lesson to Ethiopia that will see a frindly regim in Addisaba led by Oromo with Ogadenia been Somalia's parmanent neighbour and a new era for the horn of Africa. With Somlis educated in the west and the UIC, we can build the most just, powerful country that will be the envy of both Kenya and Ethipia. If the west help with this, Somalis will never forget them.
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