The Somali National Army backed by the Ethiopian soldiers serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) seized control of Eel Buur yesterday and have already conducted search operations today.
In the search crackdown of Eel Buurâs neighborhoods, explosive devices as well as ammunition were found by soldiers and immediately confiscated the equipment. The exact objects retrieved during the search havenât been specified yet, but they come at a time where there are no citizens present in Eel Buur.
Yesterday, the district in the Galgaduud region was officially liberated by the Somali National Army and Ethiopian contingent of AMISOM.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/28/2014 00:00 ||
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Fighting took place today at a town known as Yasooman that is approximately55km east of Buloburde district in the Hiiraan region. The fighting was heavy with an exchange of gunfire and it was reported that casualties were caused as well as losses.
The Commander of the Somali National Army for the Hiiraan Region Osman Abdi Muumin, stated to Radio Shabelle in Mogadishu that the fight caused casualty impact on Al-Shabaab.
The Somali National Army along with African Union troops recently began their military offensives and have already liberated towns, districts and cities in the regions that were under the control of Al-Shabaab.
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03/28/2014 00:00 ||
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[Al Ahram] A committee tasked with appraising and freezing the funds of the Moslem Brüderbund has decided to seize the funds of 5 NGO's allegedly affiliated to the Moslem Brüderbund.
The committee said inquiries showed that members of the designed NGO's are Moslem Brüderbund members and that those NGO's finance the Brotherhood's activities.
Meanwhile, ...back at the Council of Boskone, Kinnison began his slow infiltration of the sewer system... the committee decided to cancel its previous decision of seizing the funds of 3 schools as well as 5 other NGO's.
On March 12, the committee had decided to transfer the management of 22 of the group's NGOs to a government ministry.
More than 1000 NGO Brotherhood organizations were appropriated by the governmentall and are currently managed by the solidarity ministry.
A September court ruling banned all activities of the Brotherhood, from which ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi ...the former president of Egypt. A proponent of the One Man, One Vote, One Time principle, Morsi won election after the deposal of Hosni Mubarak and jumped to the conclusion it was his turn to be dictator... hails, and ordered the confiscation of the group's assets through a designated committee.
In December, 2013 Egypt's interim authorities designated the Brotherhood a terrorist organization and froze the assets of its Guidance Bureau and all affiliated NGOs.
By early 2014, the government had seized the assets of 710 Brotherhood members, including cars and agricultural land, as well as privately owned shares in listed companies.
Dozens of schools proven to be linked to Morsi's group were also appropriated.
Hundreds of Brotherhood members and the group's top leadership have been enjugged Please don't kill me! by authorities since Morsi's ouster and placed on trial for a variety of charges.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/28/2014 00:00 ||
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#1
including the Widows and Orphans Ammunition Fund, a 501(c)3 non-profit
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[MAGHAREBIA] In the early days of the Libyan revolution, poet Atef Al-Arafi gave inspirational readings in Benghazi. On Monday (March 24th), he died there in a hail of bullets.
"Atef went to his car after playing in a football match," said eyewitness Mohammed Moussa, an 18-year-old student. "Shops were open and the street was full of people. Cars stopped, and 12 masked men got out with their Kalashnikovs."
The young witness continued describing the scene. "Two of them stepped forward and called Atef," Mousaa said. "When he turned around, they strafed him with bullets. Atef fell to the ground reciting the Shahada. Then the gang drove away."
"The strange thing is that people were watching and no one could do anything," Moussa told Magharebia. "We were shocked and returned home with a feeling of disappointment in our revolution."
"The country has become really scary," the student added. "All those who have money have left it, but what can we do as simple citizens? Should we wait for our turn to be liquidated?"
The killing was not the end of the story, the poet's neighbor told Magharebia.
"Atef's wife was about to give birth, and when she heard the news about his death, she was taken to hospital," Maraey Fadhl recounted. "That baby girl and her sister will now live without their father. What is their culpability? And what's their father's?"
The popular poet was remembered by Libyans for his contribution to the revolution.
Actor Fodil Bouajila said, "My brother and friend Atef was a hero and fighter at Freedom Square in Benghazi, with his distinguished, satirical, popular style."
Al-Arafi was a "real match for the former regime's media, and became a symbol loved at all Libyan squares, which were happy and proud to have him", the al-Marj resident added.
Journalist Fouad Saleh of Tobruk said, "I don't know where to start. Should I start with praying for mercy for all Libyans, whether young people, old people or children who bit the dust? Or should I start with cursing the death gangs and General National Congress (GNC)? Or should I cut the distance and curse all those who are silent about truth?"
The poet's killing came amidst a series of attacks on media activists, artists, politicians and military officers.
Mohammed al-Hejazi, a photographer working for the Benghazi-based Libya First TV station, was injured in an attempted liquidation at the week-end.
In another public attack on Tuesday, gunnies in three cars ambushed former Tibesti Hotel manager Mohammed Al-Tweir al-Majbri outside his home in Benghazi's Fuwaihat district. The assailants "shot him multiple times, shouting 'Allahu Akbar', before driving off at speed", Libya Herald reported.
Meanwhile, ...back at the pond, Gloria slowly backed away from the eight-foot bull frog. If the creature croaked she would surely be deafened... Lt Tariq Kharaz received death threats after appearing on Libyan TV and discussing details about those behind the murder wave. He was forced to flee Benghazi, leaving his wife, children and family behind.
His wife called upon Libyans and the world to protect her husband. "He has done nothing except saying the truth," she said.
"I also urge Libyans to protect Benghazi," she said.
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03/28/2014 00:00 ||
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[AnNahar] Cameroon said on Thursday it had placed in durance vile Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please! three suspected arms dealers believed to be linked to Nigeria's Death Eater Islamist group Boko Haram ... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality....
The men were caught in the far north of the country on Wednesday, near the border with Nigeria where the group has been waging a brutal armed insurgency.
"Members of the BIR (an elite rapid-response unit of Cameroon's army) and the police found a significant stock of arms including a kalashnikov and rocket launchers near Goulfey," a Cameroonian police official told Agence La Belle France Presse, on condition of anonymity.
He did not state where the men were from, although he said the arms had come from Chad.
"Three suspects were taken in for questioning, suspected of being among the arms traffickers that supply Boko Haram," he said. "The stock of weapons was sizable, and we think the plan was to bring them through Cameroon before taking them to Nigeria."
Both the weapons and the men were taken to Maroua, the regional capital, a source close to the town's administration said.
Boko Haram is fighting a bloody insurgency in the majority-Moslem north of Nigeria, with the National Emergency Management Agency saying this week that more than 1,000 people have been killed in the violence so far this year.
Some of the group's fighters are thought to have fled to neighboring Cameroon since the Nigerian army launched an offensive in May last year.
Nigeria recently appealed to its neighbors for help in trying to eradicate the group.
Already this month, six suspected fighters and one Cameroonian soldier have been killed in festivities after Boko Haram infiltrated into neighboring Cameroon.
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03/28/2014 00:00 ||
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"All right, lads, you've had your fun. Time to come home and behave."
[AnNahar] Bahrain set a two-week ultimatum Thursday for the return of citizens fighting as jihadists abroad, saying they will be charged under the Gulf kingdom's anti-terror laws if they do not.
An interior ministry statement said Bahrainis "currently in conflict zones... on the pretext of jihad" must "return to the country within two weeks".
Those who do not come back "will be pursued under the law pertaining to the protection of society from terrorist acts", it said.
Among the penalties that could be imposed would be loss of nationality.
At the end of February, the ministry warned that the law currently providing up to five years in prison for its citizens fighting abroad, including in Syria, would be toughened.
It said it would pursue those Bahrainis fighting abroad, encouraging others to do so or belonging to "extremist religious groups or those considered to be terrorist organizations".
Bahrain, headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, follows in the footsteps of neighboring Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... , which said last month that its nationals faced up to 20 years in jail for fighting abroad or belonging to "terrorist groups."
Riyadh toughened its stance on March 7, listing the Moslem Brüderbund and two Syrian jihadist groups as terrorist organizations, and ordering Saudis fighting abroad to return home within 15 days or face prison.
The tiny kingdom of Bahrain has a Shiite Moslem majority population but is ruled by the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty.
It remains deeply divided since a quashed 2011 Shiite-led uprising, with persistent protests sparking festivities with police, scores of Shiites tossed in the calaboose Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please! on "terror" charges and reconciliation talks deadlocked.
Last year, authorities increased the penalties for those convicted of violence, introducing the death penalty or life sentences in certain cases.
Raids on two narco training and logistics camps and other locations in two northern Tamaulipas municipalities have yielded more than 19,000 rounds of ammunition and 22 rifles, according to official Mexican news releases.
The news website of Tamaulipas state government said that the six separate operations took place in Mier and Reynosa.
In Mier, army troops seized one AK-47 rifle, five weapons magazines and 146 rounds of ammunition. In another camp, soldiers seized two AK-47 rifles, 20 magazines and 600 rounds of ammunition.
Also in Mier, in a break called Las Morenas soldiers found seven rifles, 98 weapons magazines, 2,600 rounds of ammunition and USD $800 in cash. Nearby on a rural road, soldiers located five rifles and 2,370 rounds of ammunition.
In Reynosa, soldiers found six abandoned vehicles on Libramiento Sur, with 732 rounds of ammunition and 35 weapons magazines.
In ejido Los Longoria, also in Reynosa municipality, soldiers seized six rifles, gun parts, 12,676 rounds of ammunition and six kilograms of marijuana.
Missing from the government report were detentions or shootout victims. In years past local drug cartels have fought hard against Mexican security force encroachment on parts of Tamaulipas, especially locations where narco training camps were established.
Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War and national political news or Rantburg.com and Borderlandbeat.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com
[AnNahar] Three sets of bombings in Storied Baghdad killed at least a dozen people Thursday evening, the latest in a surge in bloodshed in Iraq just weeks ahead of scheduled parliamentary elections.
Two roadside kabooms that went kaboom! in Amriyah in western Storied Baghdad, a boom-mobile in the northern district of Adhamiyah -- both of which are Sunni-majority -- and another vehicle in the Saidiyah neighborhood also maimed at least 30 people, the sources said.
The boom-mobile in Adhamiyah, which struck near the massive Abu Hanifa mosque, killed at least seven people and maimed 22, while the twin bombings in Amriyah left four others dead.
Another boom-mobileing in Saidiyah killed one more.
The blasts came just ahead of the weekend in Storied Baghdad, when markets and cafes are typically packed, and continue a trend of post-sunset attacks in the capital.
Violence in the city had previously been concentrated during morning rush hour.
No group immediately grabbed credit for the attacks.
Sunni Death Eater groups such as the powerful Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ... the current version of al-Qaeda in Iraq, just as blood-thirsty and well-beloved as the original... jihadist group are often blamed for such bombings targeting civilians, including those against Sunnis, because the Death Eater groups do not regard them as sufficiently faithful.
Elsewhere in Iraq, attacks north of the capital killed three people including a police colonel.
Violence in Iraq is at its highest level since 2008, with near-daily attacks across the country and anti-government fighters in control of an entire town on Storied Baghdad's doorstep.
The bloodshed has been driven principally by anger among the Sunni Arab minority, who complain of mistreatment by the Shiite-led government and security forces, as well as by the civil war in neighboring Syria.
More than 450 people have been killed so far this month and upwards of 2,100 since the beginning of the year, according to Agence La Belle France Presse figures based on reports from security and medical sources.
Analysts and diplomats have called for the Shiite-led authorities to do more to reach out to the disaffected Sunni minority in a bid to reduce support for militancy.
But with the elections looming on April 30, politicians have been loath to be seen to compromise.
Fighters from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Camp Darapanan in Maguindanao province, fell silent as the final peace deal was being signed in Manila. But the militants chanted "Allahu Akbar!" as soon as the signing was officially declared. Some 10,000 fighters and supporters gathered under colorful tents as they closely monitored the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
MILF administrative officer Nasrullah Abdullah said an atmosphere of hope and optimism had overshadowed the military character of the militant group's main camp. He said, "The mood is very festive. We are so overwhelmed that members and supporters flocked to the camp. In fact, the attendance today is relatively larger than the attendance during the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (in October last year)."
In Manila, kite flyers and enthusiasts gathered at a park for the symbolic release of kites for peace to dramatize their support for the CAB agreement. Two hours before the signing, members of the Kites Association of the Philippines (KAP), together with the National Youth Commission (NYC), the Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN) and the OFWs for Peace, flew insect-shaped and statement kites. A kite saying "Fly high Pinas" adorned the sky along with other colorful kites that were flown to celebrate the historic signing of the peace agreement.
It was just another day in areas controlled by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, an MILF breakaway group, in several towns in Maguindanao and North Cotabato, said miliant spokesperson Abu Misry Mama. He said, "I am not saying this because we want to criticize the signing, but this is the reality here. There are almost no green flags except for a few houses who are die-hard MILF members."
Mama said there was no reason to celebrate because the deal favored the government. He said, "And they should remember that the signing is not the end. It would still go through many processes, including that of Congress. The celebration today is a waste of money. They should have instead used it for social programs that would directly benefit Moro communities."
[AnNahar] The runaway Sami Ahmed al-Atrash died in hospital after he was critically maimed in an exchange of gunfire with an army patrol that raided his house in the Bekaa border town of Arsal on Thursday, state-run National News Agency reported.
"Atrash was wanted on multiple arrest warrants," NNA said.
The army later issued a statement saying "following investigations, the Intelligence Directorate managed to locate the whereabouts of the dangerous terrorist Sami al-Atrash in the town of Arsal."
"Atrash shot up the army patrol that raided his location in the town, which prompted it to respond in kind," the statement said, adding that "he later died of wounds he sustained" in the clash.
"The slain terrorist was wanted on charges of preparing bomb-laden cars; firing rockets and mortars at Lebanese villages and towns; kidnapping citizens; taking part in killing four citizens in Arsal's Wadi Rafeq and several soldiers in Arsal's Wadi Hmayyed; and plotting to assassinate an officer with an bomb," the army announced.
Meanwhile, ...back at the wrecked scow, Agent 49 felt gingerly for his head. It was still there. He had been hoping differently... NNA said the army carried out another raid in Arsal in which "the runaways Ali Younis Ezzeddine and his brothers Nasser and Mohammed in addition to eight Syrians were locked away Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please! The name of Sami al-Atrash had been mentioned for the first time in media reports claiming that he collaborated with Sameh Breidi in preparing the first boom-mobile that went kaboom! in the Beirut southern suburb of Bir al-Abed, a Hizbullah ...Party of God, a Leb militia inspired, founded, funded and directed by Iran. Hizbullah refers to itself as The Resistance and purports to defend Leb against Israel, with whom it has started and lost one disastrous war to date, though it did claim victory... stronghold.
Last month, Military Investigative Judge Nabil Wehbe interrogated detained holy man Sheikh Omar al-Atrash and issued an arrest warrant for him.
State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr had charged the holy man with "belonging to an armed terrorist group with the aim of committing terrorist acts; transporting jacket wallahs; preparing and transporting cars, boom jackets, rockets and explosives; attacking the army in Majdelyoun and al-Awwali Bridge; firing rockets on Israel; and the possession of arms and explosives."
Sheikh Omar al-Atrash is a cousin of Omar al-Atrash, the main suspect in the Rweiss and Bir al-Abed bombings who was reportedly killed in a blast that targeted his car at dawn on October 11, 2013.
[AnNahar] Five people were maimed on Thursday when Syrian warplanes raided the mountains surrounding the northeastern border town of Arsal, the state-run National News Agency said.
The sounds of kabooms were heard in areas far from the region, NNA said.
The injured were taken to a field hospital in Arsal, it added.
The Arsal area, which hosts tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, has been hit by repeated cross-border fire in recent months, some of it deadly.
Smuggling routes used by opposition forces to move fighters and weapons back and forth between Leb and Syria pass through the Arsal area.
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03/28/2014 00:00 ||
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[AnNahar] The Lebanese army carried out raids in the northern city of Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... on Thursday after a soldier was killed in a drive-by shooting, the military and a radio station said.
The army said in a communique that two masked men riding a cycle of violence killed Fadi al-Jubaili, an army warrant officer, at around 6:15 am after opening fire on him in the area of Boulevard.
Al-Jubaili was heading to work when he was killed, it said.
Military police launched an investigation into the murder, the communique added.
Voice of Leb radio (93.3) said the military carried out raids in the area to arrest the suspects.
It later reported that Dahham al-Sheikh Jilati, a Lebanese, and a Syrian named Aaqbeh Hamish were apprehended on suspicion of killing the soldier.
Also Thursday, Internal Security Forces Corporal Samer Dandashi escaped unharmed after he came under fire in the Tripoli area of Bab al-Ramel.
On Wednesday, an 11-year-old boy was killed from sniper fire in Tripoli.
The festivities renewed after an Alawite resident from the Jabal Mohsen neighborhood died when unknown assailants shot up him near al-Ridani bakery, NNA said.
Tripoli has been rocked by repeated bouts of violence linked to the conflict in neighboring Syria, pitting its Sunni majority, who largely support the rebels, against the Alawite minority, who back Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad Despoiler of Deraa... Alawites make up 11 percent of the city's population. Sunnis account for 80 percent.
The Lebanese army, that has deployed in the city to calm the situation, has come under fire from gunnies from both sides. Several soldiers have been killed and injured in the different rounds of fighting that the city has witnessed.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Fighters from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Camp Darapanan in Maguindanao province, fell silent as the final peace deal was being signed in Manila. But the militants chanted "Allahu Akbar!" as soon as the signing was officially declared. Some 10,000 fighters and supporters gathered under colorful tents as they closely monitored the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). 
Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir 
