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I don't know if anyone here has heard of this event, but recently, Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, was quite literally conquered by Muslim militants. Sharia law's being enforced with a vengeance, and warlords are being forced to scatter. The US refuses to answer allegations that it supported warlords against the Islamists.

Here's a report a few days ago from the town of Balad, outside the city:

http://archive.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=126815

And Mogadishu itself:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2212206.html

Sorry if this is too off topic, but it seemed a pretty important event to me.

And I don't know if you've heard, but al Zarqawi was killed last night. There was a bomb raid and he and some of his aides and I think a spiritual leader were all killed. Celebrations are already being planned all around Iraq.

In other news, I'm not wearing any pants. Film at eleven.

Fine, they have Mogadishu.

Let's see the little turnip pickers HOLD it.

I doubt they threw turnips at the defenses, so...

They may just have what they need to hold the city?

Oh, brilliant.

When both sides of the war use automatic weapons and neither side aims, who gets killed?
The civilians.

RHJunior wrote:Fine, they have Mogadishu.

Let's see the little turnip pickers HOLD it.

Who are they fighting? Is it just the Somalians, or will there be foreign aid?

As far as I can tell, there's been no foreign aid; it's already over. The Somalian warlords have been pushed out or imprisoned, and it seems like most people are actually happy to be under the new rule... of course, I really gotta shudder to think of what it means when the Sheik promises "peace and security" only after the "victory of the people with the support of Allah" is won.

RedSquirrel456 wrote:As far as I can tell, there's been no foreign aid; it's already over. The Somalian warlords have been pushed out or imprisoned, and it seems like most people are actually happy to be under the new rule... of course, I really gotta shudder to think of what it means when the Sheik promises "peace and security" only after the "victory of the people with the support of Allah" is won.

From what I'm reading, there's no way that things are that cut and dry. The warlords have suffered reverses but they're not dead yet. I'm rather dubious of the idea that people are happy to be under strict sharia in Somalia. Saying you're unhappy could be viewed as apostasy and that's generally a death penalty crime.

In general, we're not doing too bad in the larger fight but the loss of Mogadishu to Islamic militia is definitely a problem.

It's not like Somalia was on our side. It's a completely failed state, and perhaps the only place in the world where the Taliban would be an improvement over the existing status quo.

Personally, I wish them joy of their new acquisition...

Kerry Skydancer wrote:It's not like Somalia was on our side. It's a completely failed state, and perhaps the only place in the world where the Taliban would be an improvement over the existing status quo.

Personally, I wish them joy of their new acquisition...

I would dispute that the Taliban would improve the current situation.