Somali News  
    Heesta Somaliweyn: Hees  
 
 


Eye of the storm? Red Sea on the boil

Mogadishu Tuesday 16 June 2009 SMC

SANAA, Yemen, June 15 (UPI) -- The strategically important Red Sea region, a key route for global oil supplies, is showing signs of becoming a new front in the U.S.-led war against terrorism and the smoldering conflict between Iran and Israel.

Yemen, which lies at the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula, is at the center of the gathering storm in the region. So is Somalia, Yemen's neighbor on the Red Sea's western shore.

Yemen's longtime president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, a U.S. ally, is grappling with a resurgence of al-Qaida violence that threatens to re-ignite the jihadist campaign in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

Saleh's Sunni Muslim regime in Sanaa is also in danger from a 5-year-old revolt by Shiite tribesmen in the north that he seems unable to crush. Sanaa claims Iran is supporting its rebellious coreligionists. Socialists in South Yemen are increasingly threatening the 1990 union of north and south. They mounted an ill-fated secessionist war against the conservative north in 1994 and appear to be getting ready for another fight.

Earlier this month Saleh met with King Abdallah of Saudi Arabia to coordinate counter-terrorism policies and to seek Riyadh's help to cut the flow of funds to the separatists from Yemenis living in the kingdom.

Riyadh fears that if Yemen's crisis worsens, possibly leading to the collapse of the state, the country could be used as a springboard to revive the campaign of violence al-Qaida waged in the kingdom in 2003-06. Riyadh has reported an uptick in al-Qaida activity there in recent months as jihadist forces in Yemen gained strength.

In Somalia, jihadists are posing their most serious challenge yet to the fragile Western-backed transitional government in Mogadishu. Somalia has been ravaged by clan warfare since 1990, and there are deepening concerns that the nation could fall into jihadist hands.

On June 12 The New York Times quoted U.S. officials as saying that al-Qaida operatives are moving from Pakistan to Somalia and Yemen in what Washington fears is a systematic redeployment to exploit the chaos in the Red Sea states.

"I'm very worried about growing safe havens in both Somalia and Yemen, specifically because we have seen al-Qaida leadership, some leaders, start to flow to Yemen," said U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

This could have major strategic implications. Somalia and Yemen straddle the choke point Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, a key oil supply route between the Gulf and the West. The scourge of Somali pirates preying on shipping in the Gulf of Aden underlines the growing concerns for the region.

"Yemen is strategically important, not only for Saudi Arabia, but for the world, because it is the only country on the Arabian peninsula from which oil can reach the open seas without passing through a narrow strait -- either the Strait Hormuz or the Suez Canal," said Mai Yamani, a Saudi analyst who is a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. "To endanger this passage is to endanger the world economy's energy lifeline."

The Red Sea has also become a focal point in the struggle between Iran and Israel, which has long had links with largely Christian Ethiopia. In January and February, Israeli strike aircraft and long-range unmanned drones reportedly attacked truck convoys, and possibly at least one ship in the Red Sea, alleged to be carrying Iranian arms shipments destined for Hamas in the Gaza Strip via Sudan and Egypt.

Iran has been quietly expanding its influence in the region for some time, particularly with Somalia and Eritrea, which fought a border war with Ethiopia, a U.S. ally and the main military power in the Horn of Africa, in 1998-2000. Sources in the region said Tehran signed an agreement with Eritrea in 2008 that will allow Iranian Revolutionary Guard units to set up bases near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Source: United Press International.

Somaliweyn Media Center “SMC”

Muslima.com is a Muslim marriage and matrimonials site that assists people to find a Muslim partner for friendship or marriage. You can use our site to meet Muslim singles , Muslim ladies seeking marriage, Muslim chat, Muslim friends or Muslim penpals . Our site is one of the largest Muslim matrimonials and personals sites with single Muslim women and men from all over the world.:http://www.muslima.com/member_profile.cfm?ID=1648256&searchposition=327&searchtotal=1000
Arabic News
Today's News 17-May-2009

حركة الشباب المجاهدين تسيطر علي كبري مدن إقليم شبلي الوسطي في جنوب الصومال
(Read more) 17-may- 2009

مقتل خمسة وإصابة عشرة بعد سقوط قذيفة مدفعية علي مدرسة لتحفيظ القرآن الكريم في وسط مقديشو
(Read more) 17-may- 2009

Today's News 16-May-2009

الأمم المتحدة لن ترسل قوات الى الصومال قريبا
(Read more) 16-may- 2009

سكان العاصمة الصومالية يواصلون النزوح خشية تجدد المعارك
(Read more) 16-may- 2009

Today's News 14-May-2009

الحكومة الصومالية تعلن محاولة  حسن طاهر أويس بلإطاحة بشيخ شريف
(Read more) 14-may- 2009

المحاكم الإسلامية تعلن  حقهم الشرعي  في  الدفاع عن أنفسهم في العاصمة أو في الأقاليم الصومالية
(Read more) 14-may- 2009

شبكة جواسيس تتيح للقراصنة الصوماليين اختطاف السفن
(Read more) 14-may- 2009

Today's News 13-May-2009

رئيس الجمهورية الصومالية يصادق علي تطبيق الشريعة وحركة الشباب تستولي علي مناطق جديدة
(Read more) 13-may- 2009

حركة الشباب تواصل إرسال المزيد من قواتها العسكرية إلي العاصمة الصومالية
(Read more) 13-may- 2009

Today's News 12-May-2009

حركة الشباب تحذر من تسمية المجاهدين المسلمين بأجانب
(Read more) 12-may- 2009

إقليم هيران يشهد إشتباكات بين قوات الإثيوبية وفصائل الإسلامية
(Read more) 12-may- 2009

الحزب الإسلامي يغلق ١٠ شركات للحوالة في مدينة أفقوي عاصمة إقليم شبلي الوسطي
(Read more) 12-may- 2009

Today's News 11-May-2009

البحرية الفرنسية تسلم 11 صوماليا متهمين بالقرصنة للقضاء الكيني
(Read more) 11-may- 2009

شيخ شريف يتهم المعارضة  بتنفيذ مخططات ومصالح اجنبية  في الصومال
(Read more) 11-may- 2009

هيئة علماء الصومال تصدر بيان ختاميى بشأن الوضع الصومالي
(Read more) 11-may- 2009

Today's News 09-May-2009

الشعب الصومالي بين مطرقة الفصائل الإسلامية وسندان عجز الحكومة الإنتقالية
(Read more) 09-may- 2009

العاصمة الصومالية تشهد إشتباكات عنيفة ليومها الثالث أدت لمقتل العديد من المدنيين
(Read more) 09-may- 2009

العاصمة الصومالية تشهد إشتباكات عنيفة ليومها الثالث أدت لمقتل العديد من المدنيين
(Read more) 09-may- 2009

قاض أمر بالافراج عن سبعة قراصنة صوماليين مفترضين في اسبانيا
(Read more) 09-may- 2009

البحرية الفرنسية تسلم 11 قرصانا آخر مشتبه بهم الى كينيا
(Read more) 09-may- 2009

Today's News 08-May-2009

العاصمة الصومالية تشهد إشتباكات عنيفة ليومها الثاني
(Read more) 08-may- 2009

اعتقال 7 قراصنة صوماليين واختطاف سفينة هولندية في خليج عدن
(Read more) 08-may- 2009

طائرة اماراتية تصل الى مطار بربرة على متنها 35 طنا من المساعدات للشعب الصومالي ./ إضافة ثانية.
(Read more) 08-may- 2009

Today's News 07-May-2009

قراصنة يطلقون النيران على سفينة للبحرية الأمريكية أمام الصومال
(Read more) 07-may- 2009

منظمة ملاحية: قراصنة صوماليون يحتجزون سفينة هولندية
(Read more) 07-may- 2009

مقتل مدني واصابة اكثر من ٥٠ شخصا في موجهات بين القوات المحاكم الاسلامية وحركة الشباب في العاصمة الصومالية مقديشو
(Read more) 07-may- 2009

Today's News 05-May-2009

البحرية الامريكية: مكافحة القراصنة تحتاج الى جهود على البر
(Read more) 05--may- 2009

بعثة الهلال الاحمر لمكافحة العمى تجرى 82 عملية جراحية لإعادة البصر في الصو مال
(Read more) 05--may- 2009

Today's News 28-Apr-2009

الافراج عن طبيبين من منظمة اطباء بلا حدود خطفا في الصومال
(Read more) 28-Apr- 2009

Today's News 27-Apr-2009

مصر تلقت طلبات لتبني عملية المصالحة الصومالية
(Read more) 27-Apr- 2009

Today's News 25-Apr-2009

البرلمان الصومالي يشهد مشادات خلال اجتماعه لتقرير  الميزانية الجديدة
(Read more) 25-Apr- 2009

مقتل ٨ من بينهم طلبة وجرح أكثر من ١٠ أشخاص إثر قصف تعرض له البرلمان الصومالي
(Read more) 25-Apr- 2009

العاصمة الصومالية تشهد  إشتباكات عنيفة بين القوات البروندية و عناصر من المعارضة
(Read more) 25-Apr- 2009

Somalia: 9 people were killed in volleys of mortars in Mogadishu (Read more) 25-Apr- 2009

Expanding Humanitarian Aid where it is most needed Support from Somali communities (Read more) 25-Apr- 2009

Today's News 18-Apr-2009
موافقة البرلمان الصومالي علي تطبيق الشريعة الإسلامية
(Read more) 18-Apr- 2009

شاب صومالي يعاني من إصابة برصاصة في جسده تعيق حياته ولا يجد من يعينه
(Read more) 18-Apr- 2009

الحزب الإسلامي يدين مقتل المسئولين الصوماليين  ويدعوا لوقف عمليات الإغتيالية
(Read more) 18-Apr- 2009

الحكومة الصومالية تكشف عن دخول 90 مسلحا إلي العاصمة مقديشو  لتنفيد عمليات إغتيالية ضد أعضاء حكوميين
(Read more) 18-Apr- 2009

الصومال علي شفي حرب أهلية جديدة بين الفصائل الإسلامية
(Read more) 18-Apr- 2009

 English News
Today's News 14-June-2009
Somalia: Fighting between government’s troops 4 killed (Reads more) 14-June- 2009  

Somalia: Al-Shabab exposes holy war film in Baidoa (Reads more) 14-June- 2009

Somalia: Aid organizations should register-Islamists (Reads more) 14-June- 2009

US Democrats reject Terror label on Eritrea for its Somalia role (Reads more) 14-June- 2009

Some in Qaeda Leave Pakistan for Somalia and Yemen (Reads more) 14-June- 2009

Today's News 16-May-2009
Meles Zenawi: “I think that Dahir Aweys and his team are beginning to feel that they are losing the game in Mogadishu among the Islamists” (Read more) 16-may- 2009

Somalia: Explosion jolts Baladweyn town, DC narrowly escapes death (Read more) 16-may- 2009

Somalia: Dayniile airstrip base for Sheikh Hassan (Turkey) forces (Read more) 16-may- 2009

Ahlu-sunnah Waljama takes full control of Wabho location (Read more) 16-may- 2009

Somalia: UN calls for respect of Somali civilians caught in Mogadishu crossfire (Read more) 16-may- 2009

Somalia: spain hands over 13 Somali pirates to Kenya (Read more) 16-may- 2009

Somalia: Eritrea an ally to Somali rebels, US army on stand-by (Read more) 16-may- 2009

Somalia: U.N. sees time not right for Somalia peace force (Read more) 16-may- 2009

Today's News 14-May-2009
U.S. Denounces Violence, Supports TFG (Read more) 14-may- 2009

Somalia –Afghanistan of Africa, HASSAN DAHIR AWEYS the Trojan Horse of Issayas Afeworki (Read more) 14-may- 2009

UN touts Somali peace prospect despite fighting (Read more) 14-may- 2009

UNICEF Newsletter: Combating malaria for better health for children and women (Read more) 14-may- 2009

Indonesia willing to lead Somalia force-U.N. official (Read more) 14-may- 2009

Today's News 13-May-2009
Somalia: Deadly battle in Mogadishu 15 killed, AU troops in new base (Read more) 13-may- 2009

“The government of Somalia is not a Muslim government” Al-Shabab spokesman (Read more) 13-may- 2009

Somalia: Worst drought in decade deepens Somalia crisis: U.N. (Read more) 13-may- 2009

Somalia: UN Somalia Envoy: Islamist Leader Aweys Attempting Coup (Read more) 13-may- 2009

Today's News 12-May-2009
Deadly battle in Mog gadishu 15 killed, AU troops in new base (guji-riix)13-may- 200

Somalia: Presidential candidate condemns AU doctors in Mogadishu (Read more) 12-may- 2009

Somalia: None Somalis in Al-Shabab network are Muslims says Al-Shabab (Read more) 12-may- 2009

Somalia: Killing a Muslim is the Second biggest Crime in Islam  (Read more) 12-may- 2009

UN envoy for Somalia condemns Mogadishu violence (Read more) 12-may- 2009

Somalia: U.S. Condemns Attacks on Somalia's Government (Read more) 12-may- 2009

Can Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys Save Somalia? Yes, if Not Killed by CIA Operative Abu Mansor Al Amriki (Read more) 12-may- 2009

UN: Highlight Rights and Justice on Africa Trip (Read more) 12-may- 2009

Somalia, goddess Tyche, Ahmedou Ould Abdallah and Sheikh Sharif (Read more) 12-may- 2009

Today's News 11-May-2009
Somalia: Al-Shabab forces took control of Bula-Barde district (Read more) 11-may- 2009

Somalia: Foreign mercenaries are fighting in Mogadishu, MP  (Read more) 11-may- 2009

Somalia: Nightfall battle in Mogadishu 13 dead  (Read more) 11-may- 2009

Somalia: Deputy commissioner claims Victory (Read more) 11-may- 2009

Somalia: a platoon of Ethiopian troops sighted in central Somalia (Read more) 11-may- 2009

Somalia: President Shariff remarks fighting in Mogadishu (Read more) 11-may- 2009

Somalia: Somalia clerics issue a communiqué (Read more) 11-may- 2009

Somali: pirates free Greek-owned vessel - group (Read more) 11-may- 2009

Somalia: AU Mission Blames Weekend Somalia Fighting on Anti-Peace Forces (Read more) 11-may- 2009

MEDIA OBJECTIVITY IS AN ILLUSION THE WORLD OVER (Read more) 11-may- 2009

CAN A GOVERNMENT FUNDED JOURNALISTS UNION STILL REMAIN INDEPENDENT? (Read more) 11-may- 2009

NUSOJ Calls on warring sides in Mogadishu to respect journalists’ rights after wounding four journalists (Read more) 11-may- 2009

Today's News 10-May-2009
18 worshipers killed at a mosque in Mogadishu (Read more) 10-may- 2009

Lawless Somalia keeps Dadaab full (Read more) 10-may- 2009

Somalia: 12 died in ferocious fighting in Mogadishu (Read more) 10-may- 2009

Somalia: pirates receive $2 million for British-owned ship (Read more) 10-may- 2009

Somalia: Mass exodus in Mogadishu (Read more) 10-may- 2009

Press Release Conducted by SOCHRO (Read more) 10-may- 2009

Appeal to WFP Somalia-Programme (Read more) 10-may- 2009

Somalia: Al-Shabab established new administration in Bardere district (Read more) 1 9-may- 2009

Today's News 09-May-2009
Somalia: Al-Shabab established new administration in Bardere district (Read more) 09-may- 2009

Somalia: 2 men gunned down inside Bakara bazaar (Read more) 09-may- 2009

Somalia: Islamists hacks off thug’s hand in Kismayu town (Read more) 09-may- 2009

Somalia: “None peace loving are igniting fire in Somalia” interior Minister (Read more) 09-may- 2009

Somalia: US President to visit Egypt, Germany, France in June 2009 (Read more) 09-may- 2009

More Somali migrants say Britain should ban khat (Read more) 09-may- 2009

Somali community fights bad press (Read more) 09-may- 2009

For Somali Pirates, Worst Enemy May Be on Shore (Read more) 09-may- 2009

Quarterly Cluster Report
Humanitarian Response in Somalia
January – March 2009 (Read more) 09-may- 2009

 

Somaliweyn Media Center (SMC)
Muqdisho Somalia

Google
 
Web You Domainame
Somaliweyn Media Center (SMC)