Somali/Ethiopian Forces Somalia Islamist Forces Ethiopian Airforce Attacks/Battles Islamic Rallies

1. 29 Dec 06 On Friday (29 Dec), Somalia's Prime Minister [Gedi] promised thousands of cheering Somalis peace and stability Friday as he formally took control of the battle-scarred capital for the first time since his government was formed two years ago. Hundreds of foreign fighters, mainly Arabs and southern Asians, were seen in Kismayo on Friday. Ethiopian troops aboard tanks fired warning shots into the air after dozens of young men threw stones as the convoy traveled through the city on the way to secure the airport. Ethiopian jets continued to buzz the front line town of Jilib, 65 miles north of Kismayo. Jilib is at a crucial junction of rivers and roads that lead to Kismayo. Somalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf said Ethiopian troops would stay in Somalia as "the government is not up to the level of taking back the entire country overnight." Somalia's president vowed to take the fight to Kismayo. "We are going to go there and confront them," Yusuf told reporters. "If we capture them we will bring them to justice." Somali/Ethiopian Forces Somalia Islamist Forces Ethiopian Airforce Attacks/Battles Islamic Rallies

2. 28 Dec 06 On Thursday (28 Dec), Somali forces backed by Ethiopian forces seized roads to the North and West of Mogadishu prepared to lay siege to the capital. About 3000 Islamists were seen retreating towards the port city of Kismaayo. It appears that the Islamists have totally given up Mogadishu. According to Abdirahman Janaqow, a senior leader, he ordered his forces out of the capital to avoid bloodshed. In Kismaayo, clan leaders demanded that Islamists surrender. It appears Somalis are turning against Islamists. Other fighters who had joined the Islamists have taken off their uniforms and submitted to clan rule. Gunman Mohamed Barre Sidow stated, "I have seen that the Islamists are defeated. I'm going to rejoin my clan. I was forced to join the Islamic courts by my clan, so now I will return to my clan and they will decide my fate, whether I join the government or not.“ Clan elders were calling for their young men to form into militias to protect their neighborhoods. X X X Somali/Ethiopian Forces Somalia Islamist Forces Ethiopian Airforce Attacks/Battles Islamic Rallies

3. 27 Dec 06 On Wednesday (27 Dec), Somali backed by Ethiopian forces secured Jawher (50 miles north of Mogadishu) and are moving onto the outskirts of Balcad which is about 18 miles north of Mogadishu. Other elements appear to be closing into Mogadishu from the west. Sheik Mohamoud Ibrahim Suley of the Council of Islamic Courts stated, "Our snakes of defense were let loose, now they are ready to bite the enemy everywhere in Somalia.“ It appears that Ethiopian and Somali troops will close on the outskirts of Mogadishu tomorrow. Once this center of gravity is captured, it waits to be seen if Somali/Ethiopian forces continue to clear Islamists out of the entire country. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi stated Somali and Ethiopian forces have killed about 1000 Islamists and have wounded an additional 3000. X X X Somali/Ethiopian Forces Somalia Islamist Forces Ethiopian Airforce Attacks/Battles Islamic Rallies

4. 26 Dec 06 On Tuesday (26 Dec), Islamists retreated more than 30 miles to the southeast from Daynuney, a town just south of Baidoa, the government headquarters. The Islamic forces also abandoned their main stronghold in Buurhakaba (southern sector) and were forming convoys headed toward the capital, Mogadishu. Somali government and Ethiopian troops entered the town of Buulebarde (center sector) and Galinsor, south of Galcaio (northern sector) and appeared to be pushing south from this position. "We have withdrawn as part of our military strategy," said Sheik Mohamoud Ibrahim Suley, an official with the Islamic council in Mogadishu. Like other Islamists, it appears they are retreating from major fights, overwhelming firepower and will begin a guerilla war and employ suicide bombers. For its part, Somali government and Ethiopian troops appear to be executing a three-pronged attack which will culminate in Mogadishu. X X X Somali/Ethiopian Forces Somalia Islamist Forces Ethiopian Airforce Attacks/Battles Islamic Rallies

5. 25 Dec 06 On Wednesday (20 Dec 06), Somali forces backed by Ethiopian forces attacked across three fronts. On Sunday (24 Dec 06), Ethiopian Prime Minister acknowledged that his country was “forced to enter a war” against the Somali Council of Islamic Courts. In the North, the immediate objective appears to be Gaalkacyo in the Mudug Region. Fighting between Somali/ Ethiopian forces and Islamists is still occuring. In the Center, the immediate objective is Beledweyne. Col. Abdi Yusuf Ahmed, a Somali commander stated his forces entered Beledweyne Monday (25 Dec 06) without firing a shot. In the South, Somali/Ethopian forces are in control of Baidba and fighting is taking place in Buurhakaba. The Central and South battle will almost certainly culminate in Mogadishu where Ethiopian jets damaged the main airport. The battles in Gaalkacyo and Beledweyne have sealed the main Kala-Bayrka road between the Hiraan and Mudug region which is key to the Islamists. X X X 1000’s Somali/Ethiopian Forces Somalia Islamist Forces Ethiopian Airforce Attacks/Battles Islamic Rallies 100’s