Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07NAIROBI1440
2007-03-30 10:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:  

Somali -- Heavy Fighting Continues

Tags:  PTER ASEC PREL MOPS SO ET UG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHNR #1440 0891031
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 301031Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8644
INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001440 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2017
TAGS: PTER ASEC PREL MOPS SO ET UG
SUBJECT: Somali -- Heavy Fighting Continues

Classified by PolOff John O'Leary. Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)

Ref: Nairobi 1429

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001440

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2017
TAGS: PTER ASEC PREL MOPS SO ET UG
SUBJECT: Somali -- Heavy Fighting Continues

Classified by PolOff John O'Leary. Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)

Ref: Nairobi 1429


1. (C) Fighting continues today (3/30) in Mogadishu between
Ethiopian forces and militia of the Hawiye/Haber Gedir sub-clan,
and it appears to remain concentrated around the stadium in the
northern part of the city. The Ethiopians do not appear to be
advancing and may be surrounded in some locations. According to a
contact in communication with the Ethiopian forces, the Ethiopians
had requested "reinforcements".


2. (C) The Hawiye/Abgal sub-clan appears to be staying out of
the fight for now, but we are receiving reports that the
Hawiye/Murosade sub-clan has joined their Haber Gedir "cousins".
We are receiving numerous reports that women, and perhaps
children, are assisting the clan fighters by bringing them water,
ammunition, and weapons; and they may also be throwing barricades
together.


3. (C) Through the morning, there were no reports that the
Ethiopians were using helicopters in today's fray. A UN security
official in Nairobi informed us at 1215, however, that an
Ethiopian helicopter had crashed in front of the UN compound in
Mogadishu, about a kilometer from the international airport.
Contacts in Mogadishu report that the use of helicopters yesterday
had the effect of broadening support for the Haber Gedir fighters.
The Ethiopian use of helicopters also engendered a widespread
belief in Mogadishu that the United States was fully supporting
the Ethiopian combat effort with intelligence, materiel, and
American combat helicopters.


4. (U) Contrary to Somali press and web reporting, no Ethiopian
general appears to be in militia hands. Ethiopian soldiers and
officers may have been captured, however; and the bodies of some
Ethiopian dead remained on the streets during the night.


5. (C) Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces again appear
to be playing a minimal role in the battle. One source reported
that yesterday these soldiers had advanced on a neighborhood in
the vicinity of the milk factory located at the northeast end of
21st October Road, but were driven back. This seems to be an
Ethiopian - Hawiyen fight.

Ranneberger