Somalis Continue to Flee from Islamic Attacks

Poor Somalia continues to fight for its freedom from Islamic rule.

The Islamic Courts Union continues its attacks against towns in Somalia in its effort to take over the country. They have gained control of the capital and much of southern Somalia.

President Abdullahi Yusuf’s government (which is backed by the west) has retaken the town of Bur Haqaba from the Islamists. This is the first time the government forces have managed to remove Islamist fighters from a town. However, the Islamists are regrouping nearby and plan to attack Bur Haqaba and the government's base in provincial Baidoa town.

The Islamic Union has also declared holy war against Ethiopia because Ethiopia has designated them as terrorists. The US has accused Eritrea of shipping weapons to Somalia's Islamic militia in order to open up another front against Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has suspended the evacuation of refugees (mostly women and children) fleeing war-torn Somalia. The organization has postponed the evacuation of refugees from Liboi to Dadaab refugee camp indefinitely while they engage in consultations with the Kenyan Government to harmonize the exercise. This has caused a crisis along the Kenya-Somali border as refugees continue to flee.

click for previous post with map of towns taken over by Islamic forces

Update:

The Islamic court has started its rule.
In Mogadishu, which was captured on June 5, the Islamic court has banned women from swimming at the main beach, to keep men and women from mingling, even though Somali women usually swim fully clothed.