Zarqawi video in Somalia

Strategy Page:

The Islamic Courts victory in Mogadishu was much less than it appeared to be. The Islamic Courts gunmen were not able to take control of the entire city, with about a third of urban area still controlled by tribal militias. Moreover, the warlord gunmen were not killed or captured in large numbers. Most of them simply fled, and are regrouping outside the city. If the warlords still have cash, to buy fuel, ammo and loyalty, they can keep fighting. Apparently the U.S. is still supplying the cash. As a reflection of all that, the Islamic Courts are asking that foreign peacekeepers, especially American Special Forces teams, with air controllers that can direct smart bomb attacks, stay out of the country. The recent death of al Qaeda leader Zarqawi, in Iraq, has made an impression. Especially because the video of the smart bomb attack, and its aftermath, have been widely distributed over the Internet, and seen by Islamic Courts leadership.

That is probably one reason why they have been so eager to distance themselves from al Qaeda.