By Mohamed Ali Bile
MOGADISHU, June 5 (Reuters) – Islamic militia on Monday seized a stronghold of Somali warlords said to be backed by the United States, in a new sign they are gaining the upper hand in the worst fighting for a decade.
Residents said the Islamic militia had taken the Mogadishu neighbourhood of Dayniile without a fight. The district is a stronghold of warlord Mohamed Qanyare, who left two days ago.
“The era of warlords in Somalia is over,” resident Mohamed Asser said. “This morning Mogadishu is under only one hand, the Islamic courts.”
The militia, who are loyal to sharia courts, took the strategic town of Balad, 30 km (20 miles) from Mogadishu on Sunday after an intense battle that killed 18 people.
They ejected forces of Muse Sudi Yalahow, a top member of the warlords’ self-styled anti-terrorism coalition.
Fearing more of the heavy fighting that has killed 350 people since February, the U.N. pulled out staff from the town of Jowhar, a coalition stronghold, which could be the next target for the Islamic side. Balad straddles the road to Jowhar.
Somalia’s interim government late on Sunday sacked four warlord ministers, including Qanyare, who was in charge of internal security, and Muse Sudi, the commerce minister, for their role in the fighting.
Residents said local elders had told Qanyare to leave Mogadishu to stop pitched battles with mortars, rockets and anti-aircraft artillery that have caused heavy bloodshed in the lawless city.
The residents said Mogadishu was calm on Monday.
“After the elders intervened, we had no option but to give in,” Farah Abdulle, Qanyare’s militia chief, told Reuters.
“We have handed over 20 technicals and nearly 200 machine guns,” he added, referring to the pick-up trucks mounted with guns which are a favourite weapon of Somali fighters.
MOST OF CAPITAL IN ISLAMIC HANDS
Islamic forces have taken over most of the capital as well as neighbouring villages. Residents said capturing Balad was the biggest victory for the Islamic side, as it lies on the strategic route connecting Mogadishu to the fertile Middle Shabelle and Lower Shabelle areas.
It also sits on a warlord supply route from Jowhar.
“There are fears of attacks in Jowhar and defence lines have been tightened,” a U.N. security expert who declined to be named told Reuters. “The U.N. have evacuated staff from Jowhar.”
Some diplomats and analysts view the violence as a proxy war between the United States and Islamic militants.
Washington has not commented on persistent reports that it is covertly funnelling large sums of money to the warlords. But it says it will work with anyone combating terrorism.
A spokesman for Somalia’s interim government said Qanyare, Muse Sudi and two other ministers were sacked after breaking ceasefire accords signed in Kenya during the formation of the government. Members of parliament had demanded warlords involved in the fighting be charged with war crimes.
“The four ministers were fired last night because they broke the interim charter and ceasefire agreements by shelling civilians, causing so many deaths,” said Abdirahman Dinari, transitional government spokesman.
The other ministers were Religious Affairs Minister Omar Mohamed Mohamud and Militia Disarmament Minister Bootan Isse Alim. Dinari said these two and Muse Sudi were heading to neighbouring Kenya.
The interim Somali parliament met inside the country for the first time in February, but the warlords formed an “Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism” a few days before in what many Somalis saw as an attempt to undermine it.
The interim administration, the 14th attempt at restoring central rule since the overthrow of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, has so far been powerless to stop the fighting.
But many Somalis say the reported U.S. backing for the warlords has increased support for the Islamic side, which has restored some order in parts of Mogadishu via the sharia courts.
Source: Reuters, June 5, 2006
