European Union Training Mission

PRESS SUMMARY 28th July 2018

“In ‘Media’ stat virtus”

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SUMMARY TITLE PAGE SNA Kills Several Al-Shabaab Fighters In Southern Somalia 2 A Former Lawmaker Shot Dead In 3 Islamist leader, 5 others killed in Somalia fighting 4 security officer killed in Galkayo 5 Cabinet Approves Replacement Of Mogadishu Stabilization Force By 6 Civil Defence Forces Somali President to visit Eritrea’s capital, Asmara 7 Eritrea says leader of Somalia, another rival, to visit 8 Somalia protests against Kenya after Elwak attack 9 Outgoing Ugandan Troops Receive Service Medals 10 Somali Military Court Sentences ISIS Linked Man Life Imprisonment 11 PM Khaire Receives Educational Experts Who Attended Recent 12 Education Conference In Mogadishu Dadaab refugees get food aid after UN cuts funding 13 eyes key Red Sea trade role with Berbera port 14 12 Interesting Facts About Somalia (The Land of Pirates!) 17 US Counterterrorism strikes: Tempo remains high in Somalia and 21 , transparency improves UAE ready to take on greater security burden in Middle East 25

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SNA Kills Several Al-Shabaab Fighters In Southern Somalia

27 July 2018

Several Al-Shabaab fighters have been killed in a battle with Somali soldiers in Bay region. The soldiers raided the militia group’s camp on Thursday, forcing a number of the Al- Shabaab fighters to abandon their camp, according to Southwest state spokesperson, Nuradin Yussuf Ga’ma.

Ga’ma, who spoke to the media, said among those killed were two Al-Shabaab ringleaders: “During the operations, the government forces killed several Al-Shabaab members. Among those killed include Al-Shabaab’s Furow village chief and another Al-Shabaab commander identified as Dufow.” He said a number rifles, magazines, hand grenades, car batteries, rolls of cables, mobile phones, and assorted foodstuffs, were found at the Al-Shabaab camp. Also found were bomb-making materials.

Al-Shabaab, which wants to topple the internationally recognised Somali government, is yet to comment on the raid on their camp. Despite losing many towns to the Somali government, the group still conducts deadly attacks in and around the capital city of Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab also carries out raids on military bases manned by African Union and Somali troops. http://somaliamediamonitoring.org/july-27-2018-daily-monitoring-report/

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A Former Lawmaker Shot Dead In Mogadishu

27 July 2018

Gunmen shot dead a former legislator in Mogadishu on Thursday evening. Ali Mohamed Abdi, who was a member of the 9th Federal Parliament of the country, was shot dead by gunmen who attacked him at his home.

According to MP Ali Jowhar, who was a friend of the slain politician, gunmen stormed Abdi’s residence where they killed him before escaping from the scene. Abdi was husband to current MP in the 10th Parliament, Mrs Hiis Hassan. This is the MP’s second husband to be killed in Al-Shabaab related attacks. Earlier on, her husband was killed in a hotel attack in Mogadishu.

At least six people including a journalist, a rickshaw driver and a cameraman were shot dead in Mogadishu city alone over the last 48 hours. Security agencies are yet to comment on this latest spate of killings in the capital, especially the murder of the former lawmaker. http://somaliamediamonitoring.org/july-27-2018-daily-monitoring-report/

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Islamist leader, 5 others killed in Somalia fighting

27th July 2018

Somali military says it has launched joint offensive against targets held by Al Shabaab group in southwest of Somalia, killing senior leader and five other fighters.

The attack happened in Ufurow area, after Somalia forces and regional troops conducted operation, a military officer, who asked to be anonymous said.

He says six heavily armed fighters had been killed in the latest operation.

A group’s commander, whose name identified as Mo’alim Derow was among those were killed in the military opertaion.

Mo’alim was reportedly in charge of Al Shabaab checkpoints linking Bay and regions in southwest of Somalia.

There was no immediate comment from Al Shabaab over the claims.

The group still holding large swathes of south of Somalia, where is believed to launch the attacks targeting Somali army and African Union forces’ bases. https://mareeg.com/islamist-leader-5-others-killed-in-somalia-fighting/

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https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/puntland/somalia-puntland-security-official- shot-dead-in-galkayo

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Cabinet Approves Replacement Of Mogadishu Stabilization Force By Civil Defence Forces

Jul 27, 2018

The Somalia cabinet on Thursday approved a resolution that will see the controversial Mogadishu Stabilization Force replaced by the Civil Defence Forces.

The Civil Defence Forces also known as the 14th Oct battalion is headed by the Police Commander and will now be in charge of the security of the Somali capital.

Somali Parliamentarians had in the past questioned the legality of the MSF a force not recognised by thhe constitution.

MSF established in Jjne 2017 was headed by National Intelligence Agency NISA Chief Sadiq John

It is made up of 500 police officers, 500 NISA intelligence officers and 500 military officers https://www.radiodalsan.com/en/2018/07/27/cabinet-approves-replacement-of- mogadishu-stabilization-force-by-civil-defence-forces/

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Somali President to visit Eritrea’s capital, Asmara

27th July 2018

The President of Federal Republic of Somalia, Mohammed Abdullahi Mohammed, is set to pay a three-day visit to Eritrea, after recieving an official invitation from President Isaias Afwerki.

The President Mohammed Abdullahi and his delegation are scheduled to arrive in Asmara on Saturday, according to Eritrea’s Minister of Information.

President Farmajo is expected to meet his counterparts in Asmara.

The two presidents will discuss wide range of issues including relations between Somalia and Eritrea.

Mr Farmajo and sign Isaias Afwerki will sign agreements on trade and economy and discuss ways of strengthening the bilateral relations. https://mareeg.com/somali-president-to-visit-to-eritreas-capital-asmara/

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Eritrea says leader of Somalia, another rival, to visit

27 July 2018

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) - Eritrea says Somalia's president will visit the country on Saturday as yet another rivalry in the region may be coming to an end. The two nations have not had diplomatic relations for nearly 15 years. Eritrea's information minister announced the three-day visit of Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on Twitter, saying it comes at the invitation of Eritrea's longtime leader Isaias Afwerki.

There was no immediate comment from Somalia's government. Eritrea remains under United Nations sanctions after alleged support for the Somalia-based al-Shabab extremist group, which continues to hold rural parts of Somalia and carry out high-profile attacks in the capital, Mogadishu. Eritrea denies supporting armed groups such as al-Shabab but Somalia has viewed the country with suspicion.

The visit by Somalia's leader follows a stunning diplomatic thaw in recent weeks between Eritrea and Ethiopia after more than two decades. Ethiopia under reformist new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed already has asked that the U.N. sanctions on Eritrea, one of the world's most reclusive nations, be dropped. The U.N. secretary-general has indicated that the sanctions could be obsolete.

The changing relations in the Horn of Africa region are of interest to the wealthy Gulf states just across the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Already they have been jostling for influence in the African nations along one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, including both Somalia and Eritrea. The United Arab Emirates, which has a military base at Eritrea's post of Assab, has played a role in the mending of relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia, this week hosting the leaders of both countries and praising their "bold" gestures. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-5999155/Eritrea-says-leader-Somalia-rival- visit.html

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Somalia protests against Kenya after Elwak attack

27th July 2018 Somalia’s Minister of Communication , Abdi Shakour Hassan has strongly condemned Kenyan Forces’ attack on Hormuud Telecom headquarters in Elwak town near Kenyan border along Somalia.

Hormuud, the biggest communication Telocom in Somalia as Kenyan forces destroyed its branch building with bomb explosions after an attack in Elwak town.

Hassan says he sent his deepest condelences to the familes, whose loved ones were killed in the attack. “We can’t tolarate such attacks which targeted our people”, he said.

He called for country’s Security, Interor and foreign Ministries to investigate the incident, in a bid to find out those who were behind. and of Security, Defense, Interior and Foreign looga quick response will be appropriate, he described the attack is intolerable. “I will take this offensive as soon as possible after the investigation has been completed,” said Minister of Taxation. “It is time that anyone must take responsibility seriously”, he added.

Kenyan security forces were accused of carrying out the attack, that left 10 people, including 2 Hormuud security guards dead. A Somali colonel, Aden Rufle says the Kenyan Forces had also kidnapped 5 Somali women from Baladhawo town and being rapped after taking them into Mandera, northeast of Kenya. There was no immediate response from Kenyan military and security officials over the latest allegations.

Last month, UN report accused Kenya forces under African Union mission in Somalia of killing dozens of children while carrying out bombings on Al Shabaab targets in Somalia https://mareeg.com/somalia-protests-against-kenya-after-elwak-attack/

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Outgoing Ugandan Troops Receive Service Medals

26 July 2018 - The African Union has awarded service medals to a contingent of troops from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), in recognition of their role in furthering the mandate of AMISOM in Somalia. The troops from UPDF Battle Group XXII (UGABAG XXII) have completed a year’s tour of duty in the Horn of Africa country. Deployed in August 2017, the outgoing battle group has been conducting anti-insurgent operations against Al-Shabaab in the region that include areas of Celjaale, Ayub, KM50, KM67, Buffor, Shalambot, Marka, Masla and Quoryoley. The group will be replaced by Battle Group XXV (UGABAG XXV), which will assume security responsibility of the same areas. “Go back and exhibit the expertise. Show the discipline and I wish you well,” AMISOM Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Jim Beesigye Owoyesigire, told the soldiers during the medal awards and send-off ceremony. The Force Commander commended the soldiers for exhibiting discipline in the course of duty, sentiments echoed by Brig. Paul Lokech, the Commander of the Ugandan contingent in Somalia. Brig. Lokech noted that the Ugandan troops had shown a deep sense of commitment and sacrifice, while operating in tough conditions on the frontline. He lauded their efforts at reconciling rival clans in their areas of responsibility and encouraging restoration of peace. “In the struggle to pacify this country, we have lost comrades. In the struggle to pacify this country we have the wounded in Mubende. We still look at the scars of what we went through. But all this has been to help our African brothers and sisters, the Somalis,” he said. “One of the pillars in our doctrine which you know very well, is about pan- Africanism. And that’s the agenda that drew us into this mission. We have no other interest beyond this. The main focus of our coming to Somalia is to help the Somalis get back to where they were some 30 years ago,” Brig. Lokech added. Present at the ceremony was the Deputy Ambassador of Uganda to Somalia Maj. Gen. Nathan Mugisha, who asked the outgoing commanders to document lessons learnt during their tour of duty, in order to inform the Mission’s leadership during transition period. He further expressed gratitude to AMISOM and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), for the support they extended to the officers, which expedited their contribution to Somalia’s stabilization. http://somaliamediamonitoring.org/july-27-2018-daily-monitoring-report/

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Somali Military Court Sentences ISIS Linked Man Life Imprisonment

26 July 2018

An Islamic State man who pleaded guilty to be a member of the group has been handed a life imprisonment sentence. The Islamic State has been recruiting members within its ranks in the region, although experts say the scale of its force is unclear.

Jama’a Hussein Hassan confessed to being a member of the Islamic State and confessed his role in staging several attacks within and without the capital city of Mogadishu. Liban Ali Yarow , the Chairman of the military court, said Hassan had confessed to being part of Islamic State fighters and had fought alongside the group’s soldiers in Puntland state.

“After all the court hearings and presentation of pieces of evidence, the court sentences Jama’a Hussein Hassan to life imprisonment,” declared Yarow: “He may appeal against the sentence within 30 days otherwise the ruling will be carried out.” Hassan was arrested by the security forces in Afgooye town as he planted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by the roadside.

The pro-Islamic State faction in northeastern Somalia is led by Sheikh Abdulkadir Mumin, a former Al-Shabaab cleric, who pledged his allegiance to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2015. In 2016, the U.S. State Department designated Mumin as a global terrorist. Since the emergence of the IS faction in October 2015, the group has claimed responsibility for deadly attacks in Puntland and southern Somalia http://somaliamediamonitoring.org/july-27-2018-morning-headlines/

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PM Khaire Receives Educational Experts Who Attended Recent Education Conference In Mogadishu

27 July 2018

Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire has received a group of foreign educational experts, who participated in a recent annual “International Conference on Higher Education in Post- conflict Societies” jointly organized by the Somali National University and the Federal Ministry for Education. The PM complimented the educational experts for attending the conference and sacrificing their time and energy to contribute towards the enhancement of the country’s educational system.

He briefed them about the state of the country’s education and the various stages it had undergone. The PM expressed optimism over its gradual improvement despite challenges in the sector. The academic elites, on the other hand, thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcome accorded to them. Some of them, who also participated in last year’s conference, observed a noticeable change in the education sector and urged for the maintenance of the standards.

Prime Minister Khaire asked Education ministry officials and those of the Somali National University present at the meeting, to double their efforts in enhancing the country’s educational situation as well as cooperating with international stakeholders. The meeting took place on the same day the Somali Prime Minister fired his Education Minister Abdirahman Osman for reportedly remarking that local universities had poor academic standards. http://somaliamediamonitoring.org/july-27-2018-daily-monitoring-report/

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Dadaab refugees get food aid after UN cuts funding

Jul. 28, 2018 - Refugees from three camps in Dadaab on Friday received relief food from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The three camps are Ifo, Hagadera and Dagahaley. The 1,200-tonnes consignment contained rice, sugar, dates, salt, maize, beans and wheat flour. The food will be distributed to 77,000 households.

Speaking to the press at Ifo refugee camp, Saad Almaget from King Salmani Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, said they are obliged to assist.

He said the needs assessment they got from the Kenya Red Cross Society revealed that pregnant women, lactating mothers, children, people living with disability and HIV positive people are the most vulnerable. Northeastern Kenya Red Cross regional manager Salah Hassan said the food has come at the right time as the refugees are facing acute food shortage and financial problems.

“We welcome any bilateral and philanthropic support,” Hassan said. Ifo camp chairwoman Rukia Ali urged other donors to help. In October last year, the UN World Food Programme announced it would cut food rations by 30 per cent for inhabitants of the camps due to insufficient donor assistance.

On November 10, 2013, the governments of Kenya and Somalia, and the UNHCR, signed a tripartite agreement to repatriate Somali refugees from Kenya to ‘safe areas’ in southern Somalia. https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2018/07/28/dadaab-refugees-get-food-aid-after-un- cuts-funding_c1793797

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Somaliland eyes key Red Sea trade role with Berbera port

2018-07-27

The soporific seaside town of Berbera is slowly changing as it takes on a major role on the Red Sea shipping route, allowing breakaway Somaliland to dream of prosperity and even recognition.

At the Berbera port, dozens of containers are stacked on a sun-scorched platform and a few cranes creakily transfer sacks of sorghum and other goods from a rusting cargo ship.

The facilities are far from modern, but Somaliland hopes its position on one of the world's busiest shipping routes will turn the state into a job-creating dynamo - and encourage international recognition 27-years after it split from Somalia.

Somaliland's ambitions were boosted in March when it struck a deal giving Dubai port giant DP World a 51% stake in the port and Ethiopia 19%.

DP World says it plans to invest $442m to modernise the port, with a first extension of 400 square metres to begin in October that is expected to take 24 months.

"The benefit we expect from the development of the port is jobs. We expect to get many foreign investors to ... generate employment and income for us," said Saad Ali Shire, the Somaliland minister of foreign affairs.

He said the port has long been the main source of revenue for the government of the breakaway state.

Nevertheless the arrival of DP World has been a "cultural shock" for those used to the slow pace of business at the port, admits Said Hassan Abdullahi, director general of the port authority.

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"There has been a big change ... in terms of volume of containers. Since they took over we got more customers," he said.

Ethiopia eyes sea access

The deal has seen the number of containers transiting through Berbera double to 100 000 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs), a standard measurement in shipping.

Abdullahi predicts that the investment will cause throughput to increase fivefold - a figure that will bring Berbera closer to the capacity of nearby Djibouti's ultra-modern ports which handle around 980 000 TEU per year.

The development will be a boon not only to Somaliland but also its landlocked neighbour Ethiopia - a fast-growing economy with a population of 100 million people that is eyeing new ports across the region to export its goods.

Cut off from the coast since former province Eritrea won independence in 1993, prompting a violent border conflict, Ethiopia funnels 95% of its trade through Djibouti.

But now a breakneck peace process with Eritrea has also opened up new trade routes through its ports of Massawa and Assab, which with the developments in Berbera could reshape trade in the Horn of Africa region.

Somaliland, which avoided the anarchy and chaos Somalia has experienced over the past three decades, "is well positioned to have a more influential role when it comes to economic and trade issues," said Ahmed Soliman, a researcher at the London-based Chatham House think-tank.

However the DP World deal has angered Somalia, which does not recognise Somaliland's independence and declared it unconstitutional.

Shire said the deal had affected ongoing talks between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, which had been expected to resume in March.

Regional influence

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He said DP World had showed trust in Somaliland, expressing hope this could inspire confidence in the state and lead to formal recognition.

"I think it will be recognised at the end of the day, because we have a legal right, an historic right, a moral right to be recognised," said Shire.

DP World's presence in Berbera is also a sign of the increasing engagement of the United Arab Emirates in the Horn of Africa, which has become key to its strategic interests over the past three years, said Soliman.

Somaliland has given the UAE a 25-year concession to build a military base in Berbera that it could use in the war it is waging alongside Saudi Arabia against the Iranian-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen.

"The war in Yemen ... was a key driver of engagement across the Horn of Africa," said Soliman.

Somaliland now finds itself in the middle of a struggle for influence in the region which also includes major players like Turkey and its ally Qatar - which is embroiled in a bitter spat with its Gulf neighbours.

In June 2017 the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt broke off diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of backing terrorism, which Doha denies.

Some in Somaliland worry about the price they may have to pay for their links with the UAE, but Shire brushes aside their concerns.

"Of course, carrying foreign forces on your soil always carries a risk," he said. "(But) we believe that the benefits are more than the risks." https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/pics-somaliland-eyes-key-red-sea-trade-role-with- berbera-port-20180727

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12 Interesting Facts About Somalia (The Land of Pirates!)

Jul 26, 2018

Facts About the Culture, Geography, and

Somalia is a country that spreads along the Horn of Africa and is bordered by Kenya to the south, Ethiopia to the west, Djibout and the Gulf of Eden to the north and Indian Ocean to the East. The 12 interesting facts assembled herein will help you have a quick glance on this unique country.

12. On July 1, 1960, the new country of Somalia was formed. - Somalia is a country with a unique history. It was colonized by Italy, France, and Britain, each establishing its own territory – , French Somaliland, and , respectively. Immediately prior to independence, the French Somaliland carried out a Referendum as to whether to secede or be part of the larger federal republic of Somalia. The Referendum was largely rigged by France in favor of secession. The Italian Somaliland and British Somaliland combined to form the Federal Republic of Somalia thus culminating into Independence on July 1, 1960 with Aden Abdullah Osman Daar as its first president. French Somaliland renamed itself as Djibouti.

11. Restaurants are popular in many cities in Somalia, however, women very rarely dined out with men until the late 1990’s. - Somalis love visiting and eating from restaurants. You can find a whole family going to a restaurant just bond and have meals. Being largely business people, hotels serves as a way of specialization where hoteliers focus on making meals while the rest focus on other businesses. Somalis have a rich cuisine that is largely influenced by the Italian culture. Pasta, macaroni, and Italian pastries accompanied by traditional dishes are common. Being largely Islamic, mixing of men and women in public sitting places is a taboo. However, this is gradually being eroded by the external influence of Somalis coming back from their refuge abroad

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10. When people in Somali get married, there is not just a bond between the man and his wife, but also between the clans and the families. - Somalis are a tightly knitted one-tribe community. Clans form strong elements of the Somali tribe. Marriages are between clans/families with sons and daughters being the glue that binds them. Most of Somalis live in extended families with cousins allowed to marry each other. An uncle too is allowed to marry his niece. This makes extended families closely knit.

9. The most widely recognized symbol in Somalia is the camel. This is because the camel provides meat, milk, transportation, income, and status for those who own one. - Camel is the most popular animal among the desert communities. Somalia, being a semi-arid land, camels are the only mammalian livestock that has guarantee of survival as it can go for months without drinking water which makes it able to survive biting drought that commonly ravages this land. Apart from being a survivor, the camel is also loved as the only viable means of transport for both people and goods in a rugged terrain that lacks modern transport infrastructure. This makes it one of the most precious assets for anyone who owns it. The camel not only provides transportation, meat, milk, and income – it is also a measure and store of value. The camel is used for payment of dowry and thus plays a critical role in the Somali marriages. Its hide is also used not only for bedding but also making the top of seats. Its milk is highly nutritious and goes for a price that is up to three times more than cow’s milk. During wartime, the camel has often been used as a means of secretly transporting weapons and troops through secret jungle routes.

8. The main language spoken in Somalia is Somali. Some also speak , Italian, and English. - Somali is the main tribal language. However, colonial influence means that colonial languages are also widely spoken. Italian and English are also spoken but mainly in major urban centers by a few educated elite. Arabic is a religious language that is mostly spoken in Mosques during preaching and reading the Quran.

7. The Civil War in Somalia has been going on for over a decade. - Somalia descended into civil war after the overthrow of its ruthless dictator, Mohammed Siad Barre, in 1991. Since then, Somalia has never had an effective central government. There is no functional State. It is a typical example of a ‘banana’ republic, save for the fact that war has made banana to cease being its primary export. Clan warlords hold supreme. Like Afghanistan, Somalia is

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6. Since the beginning of the Civil War in the early 1990’s, not one tourist visited Somalia until 2010, when a man from Canada Mike Spencer Brown arrived, shocking authorities by declaring himself a tourist. - Bombs and bullets are a norm rather than exception in Somalia. No tourist would want to visit Somalia, except a one on suicidal mission. Even though, there is a UN-sponsored government in place, it has weak feet and short arm to really stand out and stretch its arm of deterrence. Peace keeping force seems to be a permanent feature in Somalia, at least for now. This is a terrorist haven.

5. Ancient rock paintings, dating back 5000 years, have been found in the northern part of Somalia. - Somalia is an ancient establishment with the Somalis having been part of Africa’s ancient civilization as epitomized by the pyramid ruins along its northern frontier. It is part of the Cush heritage. This heritage seems to owe its origins from Egypt and Arabian Peninsula. Ancient rocks and paintings dating as old as 5 millenniums ago have been discovered.

4. Somalia is one of the poorest countries in the world. - Due to famine, wars, and droughts, Somalia largely depends on food aid to survive. An almost 30-year old war has created a whole generation that is illiterate, as the severe battlefields could not allow schooling to take place. Most people resided in refugee camps during that period with professionals having to run out of the country to seek safer places to practice their profession. What is left is a country with little infrastructure to talk about. It is a country largely in ruins, not just of the infrastructure but also of the societal fabric.

3. More than half of the residents of Somalia are self-employed. They are farmers, herders, and independent business owners. - Somali people are highly entrepreneurial. Wherever they find peace, they easily establish business and flourish. You can find successful Somali business community in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Scandinavia, Britain, United States, China, and Malaysia, among other places.

They are extremely resilient people. They love engaging in their own enterprises rather than seeking employment. They have a fierce sense of independence. This makes it easy for them

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2. Somalia is flat in the south but go north and you’ll see mountains that reach more than 6,500 feet (2,000 metres). - Somalia is largely flat southwards towards Kenya. However, when you go northwards, there are many hills and mountains. The rugged hilly terrain in the north makes it look like a different country from the south. The mountainous region is largely on the northeast and includes the Cal Madow mountain range, the Shimbiris Mountain and Karkaar Mountain.

1. Somalia has the longest coastline on Africa’s mainland. - Somali coastline is its longest border stretching from north to southwest. It’s coastline stretches some 3025 kilometers. Along the coastline, there are various beaches, islands and archipelagos. The most popular island is Bajuni island while the most popular archipelago is the Saad ad-Din Archipelago. Its two main cities, Mogadishu and Kismayu, are established along the coast.

Conclusion

Somalia, though a war-torn country, provides a lot of historical and cultural value to human civilization. It has great beaches, entrepreneurial people, and diverse terrain. With peace, Somalia can rely on the resilient entrepreneurial spirit of its great people to quickly recover and regain its position as one of the foremost countries in Africa.

It has great mineral potential including oil and natural gas whose exploration and exploitation have been hampered by civil war and lack of effective central government. https://www.naijaonpoint.com/12-interesting-facts-about-somalia-the-land-of-pirates/

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US Counterterrorism strikes: Tempo remains high in Somalia and Yemen, transparency improves

July 27, 2018 - For more than a decade, the United States has been engaged in air campaigns against jihadists in what the Obama administration referred to as areas “outside of active hostilities,” or active war zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. FDD’s Long War Journal tracks these counterterrorism air campaigns in Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan and Libya from press releases, media reports and correspondence with the relevant combatant commands. LWJ has visualized this data in interactive maps and timelines, which are available online.

In 2017, LWJ reported unprecedented levels of airstrikes in Somalia and Yemen. Thus far in 2018, the United States has sustained its high strike tempo in Somalia and increased transparency on its air campaign in Yemen. Strikes in Pakistan have leveled off, although press restrictions make tracking operations there difficult. In Libya, the US has targeted jihadists sparingly.

Somalia

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The rate of US strikes against Shabaab in Somalia is similar to last year’s record high. In 2017, the United States conducted a record 31 strikes against Shabaab, more than the entire decade-long air campaign combined. With 16 strikes against Shabaab thus far in 2018, the United States is currently on track to meet or exceed that number.

Strikes against the Islamic State, however, have ceased. In Nov. 2017, UA Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted its first strikes against the Islamic State, conducting four total that month. AFRICOM reports it has not targeted the Islamic State’s branch in Somalia thus far in 2018.

AFRICOM has maintained that both Shabaab and the Islamic State remain a threat to the US and its allies, and will continue to strike as necessary.

“U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect U.S. citizens and to disable terrorist threats. This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) in combined counterterrorism operations and targeting terrorists, their training camps, and their safe havens throughout Somalia and the region. Together with other international partners, the United States is committed to providing Somalia and AMISOM forces with support in the fight against al-Shabaab and ISIS,” AFRICOM spokesperson Samantha Reho told Long War Journal.

Yemen

American counterterrorism strikes in Yemen have decreased precipitously from last year’s record high of 131, which was more than the previous four years combined. At the current rate, roughly half as many will be conducted this year. That said, with 31 strikes thus far in 2018, the United States is on pace to surpass the strike total for each previous year, except 2017.

The US military’s transparency on its Yemen air campaign has improved dramatically. US Central Command (CENTCOM) provided Long War Journal with details on the strike locations, dates, and militant groups targeted — information not available since late 2016.

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The newly revealed data provides insight into the geographic scope of the American air campaign, as well as the eastern reach of Al Qaeda’s Yemen branch. In 2017, publicized strikes were concentrated in the central governorates of Al Bayda and Marib. Thus far in 2018, the United States has conducted eight strikes in Hadramawt and four strikes in Shabwah, both eastern governorates that were supposedly cleared of the Al-Qaeda group. CENTCOM kept up pressure on terrorist groups in central Yemen, conducting 16 strikes in Al Bayda, one of which targeted the Islamic State group. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is the primary target of the US air campaign. “Every strike advances the defeat of violent extremist organizations, and protects the United States and partner nations from attack at home and abroad,” said Lt. Col. Earl Brown, a CENTCOM spokesperson, in a press release earlier this year.

Libya

AFRICOM has conducted four strikes in Libya in 2018. Although this is dramatically lower than the over 400 strikes conducted in 2016 as part of Operation Odyssey Lighting, that operation was outside the scope of the counterterrorism mission. The Obama administration declared that Libya was an area of “active hostilities” during Operation Odyssey Lightning, therefore those strikes took place in what was essentially an active war zone.

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The operations in 2018 indicate an renewed campaign against Al Qaeda’s network in Libya. In late March, the United States conducted a strike against a high-ranking al Qaeda leader in Ubari, its southernmost strike ever in the country and the first strike against Al Qaeda in Libya in nearly two and a half years. AFRICOM again targeted Al Qaeda in a strike on June 13 in Bani Walid, where it had targeted the Islamic State a week prior. Although two strikes may not seem significant, it already represents the most against Al Qaeda in Libya in any year of the air campaign.

Pakistan

The United States has maintained a similar rate of strikes in Pakistan to last year, despite expectations that they might increase. In Aug. 2017, President Trump revealed his Afghanistan strategy, which emphasized Pakistan’s role in enabling terrorist groups. Thus far in 2018, strikes have continued at a similar rate to last year. The United States conducted eight strikes in Pakistan in 2017 and four in the first half of 2018.

Strikes in Pakistan tend to target terrorist leadership, such as Sajna Mehsud, the deputy emir of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan and leader of the Mehsud branch in South Waziristan, who was killed in Feb. 2018 in North Waziristan. The United States also targeted the Haqqani Network in strikes in Jan. and Feb. 2018. The information flow from Pakistan hampers LWJ‘s ability to track the American counterterrorism campaign. The United States does not provide press releases on its airstrikes in Pakistan, as the campaign remains shrouded in secrecy due to the diplomatic situation. LWJ therefore relies solely on press reporting, which has become more limited in Pakistan over the past year. For example, in May 2018, the Pakistani government restricted sale of the popular Dawn newspaper, one of few reliable sources for our tracking. Reporters Without Borders identified other instances of the military’s crackdown on a free press. LWJ has noticed a significant decrease in reporting on terrorism-related issues over the past two years. As such, it is possible that some strikes in Pakistan are not reported and therefore underrepresented in our data. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/07/us-counterterrorism-strikes-tempo- remains-high-in-somalia-and-yemen-transparency-improves.php

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UAE ready to take on greater security burden in Middle East

July 26 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates is ready to deploy more troops across the Middle East to counter its foes as it believes it can no longer rely on Western allies likethe United States and Britain, UAE minister Anwar Gargash said on Thursday.

Filling the vacuum left by the administration of former U.S. president Barack Obama, the UAE has extended its influence by deploying troops and cash across the Middle East and Africa, where it has built up local armies and set up military bases.

The UAE has been fighting the Iranian-aligned Houthis in Yemen for more than three years, and backed forces opposed to political Islam in Libya and elsewhere.

With its closest ally Saudi Arabia, the UAE has been locked in a power struggle with their arch-rival Iran that has played out across the region and taken on a sectarian dimension. Each accuses the other of creating instability in the region.

Gargash said hewas concerned about divergence between Western powers over the future of relations with Iran.

"As we move forward, we do really hope that the current American effort to bring about a change in Iranian approach is successful. We are worried a little bit about what is seen as a divergence of view between Europe and the United States over Iran," he said at the Policy Exchange think tank event.

UAE sees the more forceful approach towards Iran taken by the United States as a more effective means of curbing what it sees as Iran's malign activity and development of ballistic missiles than European attempts to rescue a 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

In May U.S.President Donald Trump withdrew from the multinational agreement that lifted sanctions in exchange for curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme, calling it a "horrible deal".

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Gargash also said UAE was engaging in a mediation process with Somalia, whose coastline sits close to key shipping routes and across the water from Yemen, following a row over the seizure of several million dollars from a UAE civilian aircraft at Mogadishu airport.

"There are attempts currently to mediate between us and Somalia," he said. "We'd like to continue to do our work, but we have made it very clear that we have been wronged with regards to how we were treated with the shipment of nine-point-something million dollars ... we are asking for an apology for that." https://www.nasdaq.com/article/uae-ready-to-take-on-greater-security-burden-in-middle- east-20180726-00561

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