VZCZCXRO0055
OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHNR #2527/01 3051230
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 311230Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7500
INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA  PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 002527 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/E 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2018 
TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL CASC PINSO SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA:  PUNTLAND, SOMALILAND TERROR ATTACKS 
 
REF: A. NAIROBI 2513 
     ¶B. NAIROBI 2519 
 
Classified By: Counselor for Somalia Affairs Bob Patterson.  Reasons: 
1.4 (b,d). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary: Security remained tight in Somaliland October 
31 following the October 29 suicide bombings (reftels).  A 
curfew remained in place, the land borders remained closed, 
and security was enhanced at key buildings in the capital, 
Hargeisa.  Somaliland authorities report some progress in the 
investigation, including the identification of three safe 
houses.  Embassy has told the Somaliland Administration that 
the FBI is prepared to help with laboratory analysis of any 
evidence developed. International NGO work in Somaliland has 
been affected by the attacks.  The NGO Interpeace's voter 
registration drive, in advance of the March 2009 Somaliland 
elections has been suspended for at least ten days.  End 
summary. 
 
Heightened Security 
in Somaliland 
------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) A representative of the Somaliland Ministry of 
Interior present told NGO representatives that the 
government's 2100 - 0500 curfew remained in effect.  The 
Administration had increased the number of police patrols on 
the streets, closed the region's land borders, enhanced 
security at key buildings throughout the capital, and 
tightened airport security.  (It has been reported that 
Ethiopian Airways has suspended flights to Hargeisa, but that 
Daallo Airlines continues to operate.)  Contacts on 
Hargeisa's streets report a gradual return to normality, 
although more police patrols are in evidence and roads to 
some neighborhoods are closed. 
 
Assistance with 
Investigation 
--------------- 
 
¶3. (C) The Ministry is also reporting that police have 
identified three safe houses used by the terrorists, and 
identified the license plate numbers of the vehicles 
involved. The Somaliland Administration has requested 
assistance with its investigation from the Embassy, and the 
FBI has opened a foreign assistance case in order to help 
with laboratory analysis of any evidence that might be passed 
to it.  Embassy Djibouti has agreed to be the conduit for any 
materials needing analysis. 
 
¶4. (C) Embassy understands that the British have evacuated to 
the French hospital in Djibouti two of the reported five 
persons from the Hargeisa presidential palace bombing in need 
of urgent medical attention. It has been reported that one of 
the remaining reported three casualties had died before he 
could be evacuated.  Embassy understands that the Hargeisa 
Central Hospital has urgently requested medical supplies.  We 
were unable to contact by telephone anyone aware of the 
request in Hargeisa October 31.  UNDP and UNICEF Nairobi had 
not received a request as of October 31.  We were unable to 
reach anyone in ICRC Somalia October 31. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Ambassador October 30 sent condolence letters to the 
presidents of Somaliland and Puntland. 
 
NGO Work 
Interrupted 
----------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) The NGO Interpeace has temporarily suspended the 
voter registration drive currently underway in advance of 
Somaliland's March 2009 elections.  Interpeace hopes to 
resume registration in about ten days. 
 
¶7. (SBU) The UN has pulled all non-essential expatriate staff 
from Somaliland and Puntland.  (There had been about 107 
international staff in the two areas before the bombing.)  In 
Somaliland, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Planning met 
with remaining international NGO representatives in Hargeisa 
October 30. They offered condolences, thanked the NGO 
representatives present for remaining in Somaliland, and 
promised to spare no efforts in an effort to find the 
perpetrators. 
 
Unconfirmed Media Reports 
on Investigations 
------------------------- 
 
NAIROBI 00002527  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶8. (SBU) It appears that on one has to date claimed 
responsibility for the attacks.  The media October 31 report 
that Puntland authorities have detained a Sheikh Mohammed 
Ismail in connection with the bombings.  Media also report 
that the video of a "ninth" suicide bomber, Abdul Aziz Saad 
has appeared on the al-Shabaab website, although al-Shabaab 
has not claimed responsibility for the bombings. Other media 
quote Puntland presidential advisor Bile Mohamoud Qabowsade 
as suggesting that the bombers in Puntland had been 
identified, and alleging they had been trained by al-Qaeda. 
None of the media reports could be independently verified. 
RANNEBERGER