Islamist abandon heavy weapons in hasty retreat
Washington Post:
When you consider that the Islamist were basically light infantry to begin with the abandonment of what heavy weapons they had, probably mortars, gives some idea of what a disorganized rout they are engaged in.
Meanwhile the AP ominously reports that Somalia's Prime Minister has said that major combat operations are over. No report was given of any "Mission Accomplished" sign. Apparently there are some surrenders by the Islamist which is an encouraging sign.
Bill Roggio summarizes the news or lack there of from Somalia since the Islamist last stand fizzled.
...That would be a huge mistake for Kenya. Making that country into the equivalent of the Pakistani tribal areas would only create problems for Kenya and spread Somalia's troubles southward. The Somali government has given the Islamist three days to turn in their weapons and accept amnesty.
In the final stage of a dramatic power shift in the fragile Horn of Africa nation, the Islamic fighters abandoned their heaviest weapons early Monday morning and took off for villages in the forest, with Ethiopian and government troops in hot pursuit of key leaders, including three suspects in the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
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With the most hard-core militiamen headed their way, Kenyan authorities on Monday tightened security along their border with Somalia, which extends for more than 420 miles. Many of the large number of Somali refugees in Kenya may be sympathetic to the Islamic leaders, and analysts say it would be easy for the fighters to melt into the local population.
Kenyan and Somali government officials have said that if they capture the three embassy bombing suspects, they will hand them over to the U.S. government. Meanwhile, some analysts speculated that the Kenyan government, which has pushed the Somali transitional government to include the more moderate leaders of the Islamic Courts movement, might allow those leaders to take refuge in Kenya.
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When you consider that the Islamist were basically light infantry to begin with the abandonment of what heavy weapons they had, probably mortars, gives some idea of what a disorganized rout they are engaged in.
Meanwhile the AP ominously reports that Somalia's Prime Minister has said that major combat operations are over. No report was given of any "Mission Accomplished" sign. Apparently there are some surrenders by the Islamist which is an encouraging sign.
...The African Union has a busy agenda, but not much record of success in such places as the Sudan.
Diplomats from the region were working to arrange the speedy deployment of African peacekeepers to help the interim government establish its authority in Somalia, which has known only anarchy for 15 years. Uganda said it has 1,000 peacekeepers ready to deploy in a few days. Nigeria has also promised troops, Somali government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari said.
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Bill Roggio summarizes the news or lack there of from Somalia since the Islamist last stand fizzled.
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