Two days of fighting in Mogadishu has resulted in the death of around fifty people and the injuring of over a hundred. Most of the dead are civilians due to indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas by African troops and government militias. The shelling of civilian areas is a routine part of the response of Sheikh Sharif’s militias and African Union troops to attacks by Islamic extremists. As if that were not bad enough, the Governor of Banadir region, Mr Abdirizaq Nune, has told the people of Mogadishu that the long-promised government offensive against their opponents has started and that they should leave the city in order to avoid being hurt in the fighting. In other words, the residents of Mogadishu, or those who are left, should get out of the city so that the so-called government would take control of the city. Such is the warped logic of Sheikh Sharif and the high officials in his administration.
The performance of Sheikh Sharif’s militias in the field was even more pathetic. Despite having received months of training in neighboring countries, Sheikh Sharif’s militias were forced to retreat, and it was only with the help of African Union troops (AMISOM) that they were able to re-gain their previous positions. As we go to press, we could say that, militarily speaking, so far, nothing has changed in the field. Psychologically, however, the sight of an African Union tank burning, and smoke issuing from it, after being hit by the extremist Islamists has been a morale booster for the Islamists. The burning African Union tank is a clear indication of the risks involved in introducing foreign troops to Somalia because it lends substance to the insurgents’ portrayal of themselves as committed Muslims who are defending the country from foreign, Christian invaders. The widely reported US plan to get militarily involved in Somalia on the side of Sheikh Sharif’s militias is very likely to strengthen this narrative of the radical Islamists as David fighting a foreign Christian Goliath which will create more sympathy for the insurgents even among Somalis who have been up to now not involved in the fighting.






















 

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