Crossfire War – TEHRAN WATCH – Northeast Africa Theatre: Tehran – San’a/Mogadishu – Addis Ababa – Nairobi – Djibouti – Washington; 2nd Day of Violence Directed at Government – Ethiopian Troops in Mogadishu by al – Qaeda (Tehran) – Washington Donates $16 Million for African Peacekeeping Force
Night Watch: MOGADISHU – Just a few days after Tehran had an al-Qaeda spokesman declare Jihad against Somalia’s Transitional Government, which defeated the Islamic Court administration supported by Tehran, there has been a second day of violence against Somalia’s new government. Reuters reports that gunmen opened fire at a compound used by Ethiopian troops that played a crucial role in defeating forces supported by Tehran. An eyewitness stated, “The insurgents came in two vehicles and opened fire at government forces holding defenses outside a compound where Ethiopian soldiers are staying.” Reports are that for 15 minutes the firing was so heavy it lit up the whole area. [ASHARQALAWSAT]
Washington’s diplomat in the area, Jendayi Frazer has been touring the region in an attempt to form an African peacekeeping force and met with Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Gedi, she stated, “We were already reaching out to moderate members of the Islamic Courts.” Somalia President Abdullahi Yusuf has requested Addis Ababa to train Somali forces despite Ethiopian President Meles Zenawi having said troops from his country will be withdrawn from Somalia in a few weeks. Washington has contributed $16 million toward the formation of a peacekeeping force which can easily maintain security and defeat any effort by Tehran to disrupt the new government.
What is in Washington’s and the Allies favor is Tehran’s long record of promoting instability followed by Iran controlling the area. I will be surprised if Tehran, using whatever few contacts and agents it has left, can do more than cause sporadic attacks. San’a has reported some of the Islamic leaders that fled Somalia have arrived in Yemen.
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