Article

2006-12-28 Africa Horn

Mogadishu expected to fall without a fight

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Posted by Fred 2006-12-28 00:00|| || Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 NYT.com > majority of ICU and aligned fighters are TEENAGERS + YOUNG ADULT MEN, MOSTLY TEENAGERS. OTHERS > Ethiopians are US-Allied trained and well-seasoned, and have modern AFVS includ TANKS. Mostly teeney ICU, etc have at best mostly rusted, old, but working civilian trucks and other vehicles. EITREANS not much better off than ICU - criticized as "HIDING BEHIND SOMALI WOMEN".

Posted by JosephMendiola 2006-12-28 02:14|| 2006-12-28 02:14|| Front Page Top

#2 The Islamic Courts movement had grown steadily in power for six months, until the dramatic entry into the war by Ethiopian troops last week.Since then, fortunes have changed dramatically with the Islamists in full retreat.

This reporter should stick to hockey.

Posted by john">john 2006-12-28 07:44|| http://john-smokegetsinmyeyes.blogspot.com/]">[http://john-smokegetsinmyeyes.blogspot.com/] 2006-12-28 07:44|| Front Page Top

#3 I love it when you write it as Æthopia. It makes me feel young again.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-12-28 07:59|| 2006-12-28 07:59|| Front Page Top

#4 Æthiopia. Young. When I couldn't spell.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-12-28 08:00|| 2006-12-28 08:00|| Front Page Top

#5 Our snakes of defence were let loose, now they are ready to bite the enemy everywhere in Somalia, said Sheik Mohamoud Ibrahim Suley.

I don't think the Ethiopians will fight as PC a war as we do. Chances are if they find some of these snakes, they'll be cutting their heads off.
Of course, I'm betting the Sheik will never see it as he probably has "travel plans"...

Posted by tu3031 2006-12-28 08:31|| 2006-12-28 08:31|| Front Page Top

#6 Our snakes of defence were let loose, now they are ready to bite the enemy everywhere in Somalia, said Sheik Mohamoud Ibrahim Suley

i like the red ones!

Posted by Whiskettes4Hilali 2006-12-28 10:09|| 2006-12-28 10:09|| Front Page Top

#7 well. im glad the Islamists have been chased out. This seems to be working out well for us, and a bunch of international jihadis dead for good measure.

But I really dont see the govt of ethiopia turning on the warlords. I doubt very much they want a prolonged occupation, and the easiest way to get out fast is to give power to the guys who already control the guns. Sure, they may try to eliminate the worst ones, and dilute the power of the warlords with some other elements (kinda like we did initially in Afghanistan), but just like Afghanistan, you cant remake a failed state overnight. And Ethiopia doesnt have the resources to do it over time. (And dont anybody look at the US, now)

Posted by liberalhawk 2006-12-28 10:34|| 2006-12-28 10:34|| Front Page Top

#8 LH, that's right: the Ethiops, I suspect, will be happy to walk away quickly and let the clans continue to sort out Somalia for the next, oh, thirty years or so.

Whether it's the Islamists or a nationalist leader like Berre, a unified, strengthening Somalia is a threat to Ethiopia. This is their third war in fifty years. Confusion and factionalization in Somalia suits the Ethiops just fine.

Posted by Steve White">Steve White 2006-12-28 13:20|| 2006-12-28 13:20|| Front Page Top

#9 If you want to go back far enough, NS, try Abysinia. Ethiopia was an independent kingdom for a long, long time, primarily Christian since about the 4th Century.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2006-12-28 13:28|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2006-12-28 13:28|| Front Page Top

#10 "It's probably be a good idea for a series of unfortunate accidents to befall the "warlords," who've been revealed as being much better at being lords than at making war."

Followed by:
"Doesn't sound like he's on the planning committee. If Somalia's lucky, there's already a toaster sitting on the shelf over his bath tub."

Since this is pointed at the (former)warlord known as Mohammed, and he will probably retreat at the first sign of retribution towards him, you can then rightfully say:

"Nothing runs like a Dheere."
(I'm here all week, tell your friends)

Posted by USN, Ret. 2006-12-28 14:16|| 2006-12-28 14:16|| Front Page Top

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