SOMALIA - MOGADISHU FIGHTING CONTINUES FOR A FIFTH DAY

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