Terrorist Rebels Seizing Control of Somalia
kcanathema reports from the International Herald-Tribune
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/16/africa/17somalia.php
in
http://kc-anathema.livejournal.com/2205605.html
that Islamist Somali rebels have come close to conquering the country:
MOGADISHU: President Abdullahi Yusuf has admitted Islamist insurgents now control most of Somalia, and he raised the prospect that his government could completely collapse.
This creates an obvious security threat to the world. The rebels have already taken to piracy and staged several attacks on merchant shipping passing through the Red Sea to and from the Suez Canal. This is the main shipping artery from the Mediterranean Sea to Indian Ocean. Thus, Terrorist control of Somalia is more than just a humanitarian issue.
Though it is also, of course, a humanitarian issue.
The insurgents have been enforcing a strict form of Islamic law in areas they capture. On Saturday, they whipped 32 people for taking part in a traditional dance in rebel-held territory south of the capital.
Last month, they stoned to death a young woman accused of adultery in the southern port of Kismayu.
If the rebels actually cement control of the country, expect to see many more such unprovoked beatings and murders, and probably a return of the slave trade.
Clearly, America must intervene. Just as clearly, no matter what Bush does now, the majority of the fighting will be on Obama's watch. This may be his first military test as President.
What will Obama do?
=== (UPDATE 06-21-09) ===
It's been seven months now, and so far the answer is "nothing." He's made some security arrangements against the pirates, but he has not acted against the Terrorist rebels in Somalia, as far as I know.
Wish I'd been surprised.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/16/africa/17somalia.php
in
http://kc-anathema.livejournal.com/2205605.html
that Islamist Somali rebels have come close to conquering the country:
MOGADISHU: President Abdullahi Yusuf has admitted Islamist insurgents now control most of Somalia, and he raised the prospect that his government could completely collapse.
This creates an obvious security threat to the world. The rebels have already taken to piracy and staged several attacks on merchant shipping passing through the Red Sea to and from the Suez Canal. This is the main shipping artery from the Mediterranean Sea to Indian Ocean. Thus, Terrorist control of Somalia is more than just a humanitarian issue.
Though it is also, of course, a humanitarian issue.
The insurgents have been enforcing a strict form of Islamic law in areas they capture. On Saturday, they whipped 32 people for taking part in a traditional dance in rebel-held territory south of the capital.
Last month, they stoned to death a young woman accused of adultery in the southern port of Kismayu.
If the rebels actually cement control of the country, expect to see many more such unprovoked beatings and murders, and probably a return of the slave trade.
Clearly, America must intervene. Just as clearly, no matter what Bush does now, the majority of the fighting will be on Obama's watch. This may be his first military test as President.
What will Obama do?
=== (UPDATE 06-21-09) ===
It's been seven months now, and so far the answer is "nothing." He's made some security arrangements against the pirates, but he has not acted against the Terrorist rebels in Somalia, as far as I know.
Wish I'd been surprised.