Saturday, February 13, 2010
Helicopter-borne U.S. Marines and Afghan troops swooped down on the Taliban-held town of Marjah before dawn on Saturday, launching a long-expected attack to re-establish government control and undermine support for the militants in their southern heartland.
The attack on Marjah climaxed the biggest joint Afghan-international offensive of the war and is the largest combat operation since President Barack Obama ordered 30,000 U.S. reinforcements here last December to turn the tide of the war.
Marine commanders say they expect between 400 to 1,000 insurgents to be holed up inside this southern Afghan town of 80,000 people in Helmand province, including more than 100 foreign fighters. Marjah is the biggest southern town under Taliban control and the linchpin of the militants’ logistical and opium-smuggling network.
The News:
http://www.cbsnews.c … ld/main6202807.shtml
Friday, February 12, 2010
It’s the final showdown, the start of last battle. The last, to controlling Mogadishu. Somalia lives now hours of standby of strong tension. Driven by African Union that sustain the Federal Transitional Government, 3500 Burundi and Uganda soldiers of Amisom are preparing to attack in a big style to get by islamic radicals of al-Shabaab the neighborhoods of capital conquered in last months. Group officially tied to al Qaeda has gathered the challenge and by days thousands of mujahideen coming from every region of the country are concentrating in Mogadishu, together with heavy weapons, tanks, guns, rpg and mortars.
The flux of fighters, according fews inhabitants in town forced to live in house in a major of time, is unrestrainable. They are arrived by trucks, jeep, old bus and vans. To control the terrain they already have launched a rain of mortars and of gun along the perimeter along the headquarters of United Nations forces. The blue helmets, armed with new rules of engagement authorizing them to return fire, they responded to gunfire.
The News:
http://www.repubblic … _resa_conti-2275129/
The Yemeni authorities have declared a ceasefire with rebels fighting government forces in the north.
The truce started at midnight local time (2100 GMT) and came after days of negotiations between the government and rebels on how to end the conflict.
The leader of the rebels, known as Houthis, ordered his men to abide by the truce.
The News:
http://news.bbc.co.u … dle_east/8511705.stm
The government of Israel is ready to restore the de jure recognition it has offered to Somaliland in 1960 as it eyes the Red Sea and the Horn, an Israeli spokesman says.
According to a local source, Golisnews, Mr. Yigal Palmor, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman is quoted on the Israeli newspaper of Haaretz Daily saying his government was ready to recognize Somaliland again. He cited Israel was the first state to recognize Somaliland in 1960 when it received its independence from Great Britain.
However, Mr. Palmor admitted Somaliland government has not contacted the Israeli government to seek ties.
The News:
http://somalilandpre … ecognize-somaliland/
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Hundreds of Somali insurgents loyal to islamist group al-Shabaab have reached Mogadishu, witnesses say, amid expectations of a major battle.
Eyewitnesses reported that fighters, about 20 vehicles and artillery had arrived in Somalia’s capital overnight.
Residents have been fleeing for days amid a widespread belief that the rebels and government forces are on the cusp of a serious showdown.
Al-Shabaab and other rebel groups control much of southern Somalia.
The News:
http://news.bbc.co.u … i/africa/8508176.stm