Daveed Gartenstein-Ross

Afghanistan Again: Somalia Falling to Al Qaeda

Friday, December 22nd, 2006 - by Daveed Gartenstein-Ross

The terror group stands on the verge of conquering first safe haven since 9/11. by Daveed Gartenstein-Ross A Pajamas Media Exclusive Al Qaeda's allies in Somalia are on the verge of seizing the secular government's last stronghold - opening the possibility of a "new Afghanistan" to shelter America's enemies. Somalia is at a critical juncture. In the coming days, the world will learn whether the transitional federal government is strong enough to fend off the terrorists' assault. If it fails, al-Qaeda will win its first countrywide safe haven since 9/11. The radical Islamic Courts Union (ICU), a Taliban-like group linked to Osama bin Laden, seized the Somali capital of Mogadishu in June and has steadily gained control of strategic cities throughout the country since then. Its main rival, the secular transitional federal government, is now confined to the south-central Somali city of Baidoa.

Read bullet | Comments bullet