SOMALIA: PUNTLAND, SOMALILAND TERROR ATTACKS

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