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Bringing "peace" to the capital's airport. Somalia Jihad Update. "Islamist militant threat paralyses Mogadishu airport," by Abdi Sheikh for Reuters, September 17:
MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Mogadishu's main airport was largely shut down on Wednesday after militant Somali Islamists threatened to attack any planes using it.
Staff at the airport said carriers using the sea-front facility in south Mogadishu had decided not to take any risk following the threat by al Shabaab to target aircraft landing or taking off after midnight on Tuesday.
Al Shabaab, which is on Washington's list of terrorist groups, is spearheading an insurgency against the Somali government and its Ethiopian military backers.
"Turning deaf ears to what al Shabaab said means planes will be burned and staff assassinated at their houses," an official at the airport said. "We have agreed not to land planes."
A weekend statement by al Shabaab said the airport was a legitimate target because it was used by the Somali government, the Ethiopian military, and African Union (AU) peacekeepers, whom it perceives as propping up the government.
About 4-5 flights daily were going through Mogadishu airport before Wednesday.
The AU, which has 2,200 peacekeepers in Somalia, mainly based at the airport, condemned the threat, saying it would harm locals because it would block medical supplies. [...]
Al Shabaab's threat against the airport reflects the growing confidence of one of the main protagonists in the Somali war. The group last month led an Islamist takeover of southern Kismayu port, giving it a strategic base near the Kenyan border.
Posted by Marisol at September 18, 2008 12:03 AM
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Someone please tell Mr. Abdi Sheikh that he is misunderstanding the situation in Somalia!
He is obviously very confused.......
Why would he think the Al Shabaab are Islamist Militants when they are actually just misunderstanders of their faith?
He also goes on to allege an "Islamist takeover" of Kismayu! I am sure that Mr. Hassan Turki and company are deeply offended by being branded 'Islamists' by such a clueless reporter!
(Or maybe they would be upset (ha) if Turki wasn't on YouTube calling himself a mujahideen ( oh, the nerve! another banned term!) brother with Al Qaeda and the HAMAS!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QIr4FCgnk8
Strangely, in the same video, Mr. Turki calls 'Mr. Bush' the terrorist....and all of us 'infidels'!
I wish these guys would learn their Islam before someone gets hurt!
[...]
If Mr. Sheikh had only called them 'extremists', the Shabaab would be marginalized and be set to fall apart any day now.
Shame on you Mr. Sheikh!! You obviously need some additional training in understanding Islam!
Maybe we can put you in touch with some folks here in the US that can help clarify for you?
I'm sure Esposito, CAIR, the USC MSA or your own fellow countrymen-- convicted US based Al Qaeda supporter Nuradin Abdi could straighten you out!
Oh, wait.....Nuradin was a misunderstood 'extremist' as well....
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/06/15/terror/main623119.shtml
I guess he wouldn't be the guy to go to afterall?
So confused....
Posted by: Agent Maxwell Smart![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 18, 2008 5:22 AM
saying it would harm locals because it would block medical supplies. [...]
so the muslims must have plenty of camel piss so they dont need no stinking modern medican sac off
Posted by: ISLAMSNOTFORME at September 18, 2008 5:56 AM
"The AU, which has 2,200 peacekeepers in Somalia, mainly based at the airport, condemned the threat, saying it would harm locals because it would block medical supplies. [...]"
as if the Muslims thugs really cared about their people receiving aid to ease their lives...The Muslim thugs often attack and kill aid workers and doctors....now that I pause and think about it..I don't recall any activity by the Muslim thugs that provide medicine, clothing, blankets, water, food, or other items used to ease the lives of the poor...
Muslim thugs deliver only death...
at September 18, 2008 5:58 AM
As I have said before, all western countries should pull out of that garbage pit of a country, then blockade it and let them kill and starve themselves off. It would be no lose at all. On the contrary, it would serve as an example of Islam at it's best. And we could also start sending back halal loving Somalis here too. Who needs anyone of them?
Posted by: MorrisMinor at September 18, 2008 9:47 AM
If we can't use the airport, we can't use the airport. It's no great loss to any of us. If Somalis want to change this, it's up to them. They are on the ground with the people who threaten the violence. If THEY won't defend their own country, I hope they don't expect anyone else to.
Posted by: PMK at September 18, 2008 3:40 PM
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