Somalia: Islamic Rule Gets Rough

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October 16, 2006: Islamic radicals in the separatist state of Somaliland are trying to terrorize the government and media to support the Islamic Courts. This could mean civil war in Somaliland, which has been peaceful for several years. Meanwhile, peace talks in Sudan, between the Transitional Government and the Islamic Courts, are not going well. There is dissention in the ranks of the Transitional Government, where some members are upset at the dictatorial rule the Islamic Courts are establishing.

October 15, 2006: For the second time in a week, Ethiopian troops briefly occupied a Somali border town. The Ethiopian troops were accompanied by gunmen from the Transitional Government. The Ethiopian government denied that its troops had been in the town (Dinsor).

October 14, 2006: Attempts by local militias to retake the port of Kismayo, were repulsed by the Islamic Courts forces holding the town.

October 13, 2006: The Islamic Courts plan to disarm the country, seizing most of the guns held by citizens.

October 12, 2006: The head of Islamic Courts military forces, Aden Hashi Ayro, has a history with al Qaeda, and received terrorist training in Afghanistan, when the Taliban ran the place. Ayro is still an Islamic radical, and often speaks of the foreign (al Qaeda) fighters who are assisting him.

October 11, 2006: The Islamic Courts have imposed controls on the media. Criticism of the Islamic Courts is forbidden, and coverage in general must be conducted in an "Islamic" fashion. The Islamic Courts have also been threatening UN relief officials. As a result of this, these officials have been withdrawn from parts of Somalia controlled by the Islamic Courts.

October 10, 2006: Over a thousand Somali refugees are entering Kenya each day, to escape the Islamic radicals who are taking over Somalia.