Somali TFG Arms Sweep Begins--Heavy Fighting

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001303

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET UG
SUBJECT: Somali TFG Arms Sweep Begins--Heavy Fighting


1. (U) Multiple sources report that heavy fighting between TFG
forces and insurgents began in Mogadishu around 0600 this morning,
March 21. Press reporting indicated that Ethiopian troops and
tanks were supporting TFG troops; but by mid-afternoon, contacts
in Mogadishu were reporting that the Ethiopian forces were less
visible on the streets. Fighting was concentrated in two
neighborhoods: Shirkole near the Ethiopian HQ at the former
Ministry of Defense and across town in the vicinity of the Hotel
Ramadan; but there are reports of more widespread shelling in the
city and of large fires in Bakara Market. Sporadic fighting
continues.


2. (U) As of 1400 local, sources in Mogadishu were reporting up
to 60 dead and 60 wounded. An Ethiopian political official
admitted to 34 Ethiopian casualties in the day's fighting.
Insurgents claimed to have captured up to 12 TFG soldiers. Press
and Mogadishu contacts report that the bodies of between two and
five dead TFG and/or Ethiopian soldiers (they were the same
uniform) were dragged through the streets and set afire. Pictures
are being posted on several Somali news websites, as well as on Al
Jazeera.


3. (U) According to local sources in Mogadishu, TFG forces
initially seemed to have the upper hand, but insurgents were seen
to be gaining by mid-afternoon. These sources reported that the
TFG had not made any statements about the day's events, leaving
the residents to wonder whether the insurgents might actually have
defeated government forces.


4. (SBU) Comment. The Somali Ambassador to Kenya stated at a
press conference today in Nairobi that this battle was the
beginning of the long-expected effort by the TFG to confiscate
civilian arms in Mogadishu. Numerous sources were indicating that
this planned operation was engendering wide-spread popular anger
in the city toward the TFG. Whether or not the TFG is ultimately
successful in this endeavor, popular resentment could make it
difficult to hold a meaningful National Reconciliation Conference
as scheduled in mid-April.


5. (SBU) Comment continued. The reported absence of Ethiopian
combat support for TFG forces will make it difficult for the
government's mostly inexperienced troops to make headway against a
determined resistance from insurgent militia.

Ranneberger