Revolutionary Voice

Somali Islamists are actively driven out of Somalia by a coalition of Ethiopian soldiers and the transitional Somali government. Kismayo, a Somalian port, is reportedly the last Islamic-held strong point after the capital, Mogadishu, was surrendered on December 28th.

3,000 Islamist fighters are reportedly on full defense in Kismayo and are prepared to fight. Ethiopian troops and artillery are advancing towards the port with a Somali government army ready to expel the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) from the east African nation.

Baidoa, the city in which the current weak government is fortified, has been reported threatened by the Islamic militia. The UIC claim the militia’s purpose to invading Mogadishu was only to restore order. They seemingly did so, by driving out many of the capital’s warlords and pacifying clans since June. This was a feet the UN and the US failed to achieve in the early 90’s amidst UN relief efforts.

This seems to be a battle for control of Somalia. Most of Somalia is already Muslim and doesn’t seem to mind UIC help and support. But is the UIC harboring terrorists like Ethiopia claims, or are they trying to pacify the land of Allah?

Photo courtesy of BBC and Associated Press