Forces opposed to the Somali government have expanded their insurgent activities to areas that were previously peaceful and could be planning attacks in the Middle and Lower Juba regions, the African Union (AU) has warned, according to IRINnews.
– Their strategy seems to be to further weaken the TFG [Transitional Federal Government] by destabilising as many areas as possible, fully aware that the government does not, at the moment, have the capacity to deploy significant numbers of troops in all the regions, according to a report by AU Commission Chairman Alpha Konare on 18 January.
MERE PÅ VEJ
In the Middle and Lower Juba regions, the al-Shabaab [military wing of the deposed Union of Islamic Courts] are reported to be training new recruits and planning attacks, taking advantage of the instability created by clashes between clans, especially over revenue collected from the Kismayo port, according to the report.
Armed elements were also reported to be using the Lower Shabelle region to ferry arms.
Recently, the TFG forces in the area were attacked and forced to withdraw to Bardoogle. In the Bay region, there have also been stepped-up attacks on TFG and Ethiopian positions.
SOM ALTID LIDER DE CIVILE MEST
Prevailing insecurity has resulted in civilian casualties, massive displacements and constrained the delivery of assistance to needy people.
More than 240,000 people left Mogadishu since end-October, according to the UN, while the total number of civilians who fled the city in 2007 is estimated at 600,000.
Kilde: www.irinnews.org
