Wars in the World

Six armed ethnic groups that formed an alliance this week against the Burmese Army amid fears of a post-election junta offensive have set the formation of a “Federal Army” as their main priority, according to Radio Free Asia and independent sources.

The primary goal was set after a series of meetings in northern Thailand yesterday, at which the bloc also decided to create a working committee to carry out political and military strategies as a joint force.

The alliance comprises ceasefire groups, the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Shan State Army North (SSA-North); and non-ceasefire groups, the Karen National Union (KNU), Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and Chin National Front (CNF).

The News:
http://www.burmanet. … w-alliance-activist/

Fierce clashes between Somali government troops, backed by African Union (AU) forces, and al-Shabaab fighters have left at least 11 people dead and 25 others injured in Mogadishu.

Seven people — mostly Soldiers — lost their lives on late Wednesday fighting in Mogadishu’s northern district of Boondheere.

“In the morning, i witnesses 5 dead bodies –who were wearing combat dress—in the street, so far, no casualties around the area,” said a Witness.

In a separate incident, three people – mostly civilians– were killed and 7 others wounded in Mogadishu’s Warhdiigley district when clashes broke out between AU forces and al-Shabaab militants.

The News:
http://www.garoweonl … e_in_Mogadishu.shtml

Deadly clashes erupted this week between Moroccan forces and local rebels in Western Sahara — a long-disputed region of northwestern Africa.

The violence coincided with a round of talks — informally backed by the United Nations — between Morocco and representatives of Polisario Front, the region’s independence movement.

Polisario said Moroccan authorities raided a camp on Monday in Western Sahara, leaving 19 people dead, 723 wounded, and 159 missing, and the group said the fighting has continued since then. Morocco’s official news agency said eight Moroccan police officers also died in the raid.

Ahmed Boukhari, a Polisario representative, told CNN in an e-mail Tuesday that “the tragic events” were “the result of a deliberate act carried out by Morocco to undermine the current U.N. peace process.”

The News:
http://edition.cnn.c … o.clashes/index.html

The Ogaden National Liberation Front Army- is continuing its offensive against Ethiopian Army troops in the Ogaden. During the months of October and the beginning of November It has conducted 34 tactical and strategic military operations, killing 267 Ethiopian Army Soldiers and wounding 157. Casualty on the ONLF side was minimal.

The latest fighting occurred on November 4, 2010 near the strategic town of Babile, which lies on the road between Harar and Jigjiga, a main supply route for the Ethiopian Army in the Ogaden. The liberation forces attacked and captured the Ethiopian Army garrison of Dhalac near Babile guarding that strategic route, killing 25 soldiers and wounding 32, while the rest retreated to Babile.

The Liberation Army destroyed the garrison, burning a military vehicle and capturing large stockpiles of food, medicine and ammunition. In addition, the Liberation Army seized 24 Ak-47 assault rifles, 2 heavy machine-guns and 3 RT military communication Radios.

The News:
http://www.ogaden.co … tary-communique.html

Gunfire and explosions have been ringing out this morning from Burma’s border town of Myawaddy after key administrative and military positions were yesterday taken by a Karen army faction.

Burmese soldiers launched an assault on Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) troops, and fighting continues at the time of writing. This morning a grenade landed across the border in Thailand’s Mae Sot, reportedly kiling one and leaving three injured. The main road in Mae Sot that leads to the border has been closed.

“The fighting is really intense now – about five or six people have been killed from heavy weapons’ fire,” said a Myawaddy resident. “We heard the DKBA troops are entering Myawaddy town through Ward 5 [close to the Moei river].”

Reports are emerging that two trishaw drivers close to the Myawaddy market were also killed in the crossfire.

Many locals are said to be fleeing into Thailand after hearing rumours that Burmese troops were recruiting civilians to fight.

“The Burmese army is recruiting porters in our area. We are preparing to flee as there are only male in our family,” said one woman. “My husband said he saw two people hit by an [artillery] shell. He wasn’t sure whether they died or not.”

The News:
http://www.dvb.no/ne … in-border-town/12689