Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 64621 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 09NAIROBI964, SOMALIA - MOGADISHU FIGHTING CONTINUES FOR A FIFTH DAY

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09NAIROBI964.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09NAIROBI964 2009-05-13 17:00 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Nairobi
VZCZCXRO3526
OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHNR #0964 1331700
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 131700Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9500
INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA
RUZEFAA/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000964 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S CARSON 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER EAID SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - MOGADISHU FIGHTING CONTINUES FOR A FIFTH DAY 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: Fighting between Islamists and Hisbul Islami and 
the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) continued in Mogadishu May 
13.  Somali media report injured and wounded in the hundreds and 
displaced persons in the thousands.  TFG officials tell us Ras 
Kamboni leader Hassan al Turki, and al-Shabaab leaders Gobale and 
Muhktar Robow had arrived in Mogadishu.  In a sign of the 
situation's fluidity, a key Abgal subclan apparently switched 
allegiances to the government.  TFG officials say they repulsed an 
attack on May 13, and continue to hold defensive positions along the 
Sodonka Road, though they tell us difficult challenges lie ahead. 
End Summary. 
 
2.  (SBU) Fighting between Islamic extremist groups Al-Shabaab and 
Hisbul Islami, and the TFG resumed May 13 in Mogadishu.  Somali 
media report over 100 people have been killed.  Development 
assistance counterparts confirm that displaced citizens now number 
in the thousands. 
 
3.  (SBU) An audibly more nervous Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke told 
us May 13 that the TFG continues to hold defensive positions in the 
lower Yaqshid and Wardhigley districts, roughly along Sodonka road. 
A late-morning attack against TFG positions in the Fagah 
neighborhood of Yaqshid, in the vicinity of Bacaad Market, or 
roughly two kilometers from Villa Somalia, was repulsed, according 
to Security Minister Omar Hashi.  Hashi also told us that Islamists, 
supported by "hundreds" of non-Somali jihadists, were gathering in 
the Kilometer Four area of southwest Mogadishu.  Africa Union troops 
have several bases in the area, but according to reports, they were 
not under concerted attack, and remained in their camps, possibly in 
accordance with their mandate, but also maybe because they assessed 
that their involvement would interfere with the TFG's plans. 
 
4.  (SBU) At mid-afternoon mortar shelling was reported in the 
vicinity of presidential offices at Villa Somalia.  A contact at 
Villa Somalia told us AMISOM responded with a counter barrage, 
successfully suppressing the shelling.  Reaching Security Minister 
Omar Hashi again, he informed us of reports Ras Kamboni leader 
Hassan al Turki, and al-Shabaab leaders Gobale and Muhktar Robow had 
arrived in Mogadishu to encourage their fighters.  We asked Hashi 
his assessment of the strategic situation.  He responded laughing, 
"We cannot be scared of monkeys.  These are monkeys.  We have the 
upper hand." 
 
5.  (SBU) President Sharif continued to publicly lobby for the 
fighting to stop.  On May 13, at a ceremonial signing of a recently 
passed Sharia law bill, he called for an end to the hostilities, and 
reiterated the need for dialogue.  He pointed out the fighting's 
devastating effects on civilians.  President Sharif's security 
secretary told us the President calmly answered journalist's 
questions.  Meanwhile, according to our contacts, an al-Shabaab 
spokesman was on the radio proclaiming "We are at war with evil.  We 
urge the people to support and stand by us. We are nearing victory 
to create a true Islamic government." 
 
6.  (SBU) On May 13, former deputy defense minister Jelle 
(Hawiye/Abgal) reported a key meeting on May 12 between Abgal 
community leaders at a private home near the National Stadium.  At 
the meeting, Abgal/Wa'esli leaders, key among them Abdulkadir Adani, 
former Courts financier, agreed to rejoin Abgal subclans in support 
of the government.  Jelle said the Wa'esli subclan was alarmed by 
the recent apparent coalescing of Habr Gedr militias with al-Shabaab 
against the government.  At the meeting, skeptical Abgal sub-clan 
leaders challenged the Wa'eslis to prove their new allegiance to the 
government.  They ordered the Wa'esli leaders to deny al-Shabaab 
access to the Wa'esli's upper-Yaqshid district stronghold, from 
which al-Shabaab launched attacks on May 9-11.  On May 13, upper 
Yaqshid was quiet.  Al-Shabaab was forced launched attacks into the 
Bacaad Market area from Wardhigley instead, our contacts tell us. 
Jelle claimed the Abgal were discussing contributing fighters to the 
government. 
 
RANNEBERGER