US in Somalia - What's going on?

[Gromit]

Why is the US bombing Somalia?

This quote from an 'International Herald Tribune' article might explain...

"The goal is to obtain a direct foothold in a highly strategic region by establishing a client regime in Somalia. The Horn of Africa is newly oil-rich, and lies just miles from Saudi Arabia, overlooking the daily passage of large numbers of oil tankers and warships through the Red Sea. General John Abizaid, the current U.S. military chief of the Iraq war, was in Ethiopia this month, and President Hu Jintao of China visited Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia earlier this year to pursue oil and trade agreements."

Here is the full articles...

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/26/opinion /edlone.php

[zimzam]

I am beyond understanding the Bush regime. This quest for world domination seems to hinge around oil bearing countries and pursuing Muslims with more vengeance and a death toll far greater than Hitler achieved with his genocide tactics regarding the Jews. Any Country who has and owns oil or gas or coal owns it, exporting some if they wish, but I cannot comprehend why Bush feels that he owns every Country in the world and demands ownership of their rich reserves � and waging wars to get it. My concern is where so many worldwide looked up to, admired and liked the Americans they as a people are now becoming hated and despised. The American people all get the blame as individuals rather than simply their President and his government. The damage he has caused to countries throughout the world and the lack of respect that he has brought upon his own people in the eyes of the world will take a very long time to heal. I think he�s caused more unrest than anyone else in history.

[Loosehead]

Another well informed rant zimzam. Come back when you understand what is going on and have some viable information rather than self deluded tabloid fueled hysteria.

[Gromit]

zimzam,

"(Bush pursuing Muslims with) ...a death toll far greater than Hitler achieved with his genocide tactics regarding the Jews".

As bad as the Bush administration is, your statement above is clearly wrong.

I had not linked the Somali adventure with oil before, funny how these al-qeda keep popping up on top of huge reserves of oil.

[IggyB]

come on then loosehead instead of just disagreeing with one post discuss the question a bit (plus no need to start throwing insults around is there - try and keep it nice)

[jake-the-peg]

Despite what I think of the US's actions - (Could we have bomber NorAid's offices in Boston then?)

I think we need to read articles like this with a certain amout of caution.

http://www.gasandoil.com/goc/news/nta53713.htm
Somalia has no proven oil reserves and only 200 bn cf of proven natural gas reserves, according to the US Energy Information Administration. However, companies including Total, Amoco, Chevron and Conoco and Phillips, which have since merged into ConocoPhillips, held exploration concessions in northern Somalia in the 1980s.

OK that's the US government saying that but it leads me to question whether or not there actually is oil in Somalia

Salim Leone has written articles such as "Iraq is now another Palestine" and "International Lawlessness"

http://www.byliner.com/writer/?id=10378

He may or may not be right - but I don't think he's exactly impartial

[Theland]

What's going on? Well it seems the U.S. found some terrorists ... and bombed them.
The U.S. will have to now provide the evidence that the victims were indeed terrorists, and a threat.

[Gromit]

jake-the-peg

I have looked and you are indeed correct about Somalias proven oil and gas reserves. Many firms have tried to find oil and drilling rights and contracts continue to be sold. The opinion is that the geography is right for oil to be present, just that no one has found it yet.

Here is another more recent article from Salim Lone

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page= 2007%5C01%5C07%5Cstory_7-1-2007_pg3_6

[zimzam]

Loosehead - insults are not necessary. Respect me as I would choose to respect you. I often find that those who attack others are clearly ignorant of a situation, don't you? or if they choose to insult another its because they understand the situation so well that they don't need to explain their views to who they decide to attack for theirs.We all have our own opinions. I may disagree with some but I do not go into an insulting attack mode without explaining why I felt the need to do so.

[Gromit]

Theland

The al-Qaeda cell in Somalia have been known about and tracked for many years.

http://www.parapundit.com/archives/001264.html

So why launch attacks now?

[Theland]

Then that must have been a case of waiting for the "right" moment to be certain of the target, and minimise casualties in the civilian population ... I guess.

[Loosehead]

zimzam/Iggy I have not insulted anyone just observed that your post is not based in reason, knowledge or understanding. Iggy I will and do respond with arguments generally it's just that in this case zimzam was so far away from any reason, fact, logic or indeed any coherant argument that I really don't know where to start. It would be pointless to debate when clearly there such a gulf in understanding. zimzam you even start with the phrase "i am beyond understanding..........." yes you are indeed!

[Trojanfarce]

Isn't using the word "bombed" or "bombing" a little strong here? The article that I've read (Sky News website) points only to the use of Spectre and helicopter gunships, going after specific Al-Quaeda targets. There's no mention of ordnance being dropped.
And it was interesting that the article from the IHT, which IMHO was flagrantly anti American and pro-Muslim, was written by someone called Salim. Perhaps that's immaterial and off the subject a little.

[Raleigh]

Because they were asked to by the Somalian government.

[Gromit]

Raleigh

Somalia is in a civil war. The 'government' you refer to is the side (mostly warlords) that has is supported by neighbouring Ethiopia. Ethiopia in turn is financed and trained by the US. Since the Black Hawk Down incident in 1993, the US is keen for someone else to do its fighting in Somalia, and Ethiopia fits the bill. Unfortunately, Ethiopia is a christian country, and most Somalis are Muslim, so the future looks mighty bleak.

[zimzam]

My reasoning may be different to yours but no reason to attack me or any other poster simply because they do not reply in agreement to your own personal viewpoint. Your answer makes no argument or justification to me but | hope you feel better - meanwhile sit mack like I will and enjoy the replies without taking a personal issue on any one poster, eh? I still am bemused why you singled out my reply to answer rather than answer the original question.

[jedimistress]

I am also "beyond understanding" like I am when it comes to infinity and the vastness of the universe etc.

I am beyond understanding of how this could all be happening, so affrontedly, so blatantly, so disrespectfully, all of it, everything. From the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq to the demonizing of other Arab nations and now this. It is so sick and corrupt I can't eve begin to understand how they are getting away with it.

And I can clearly see the comparison with Hitler. Invading nations one by one, killing people while having the support of people and no intervention. I wonder what excuse he used, was it "the war against terror" "finding WMDs" "regime change" Anybody know?

[Loosehead]

Well zimzam, all you did in your first post was demonstrate your hatred of the US and Bush by exagerating and selectively picking things that are not even true to support your argument. Then we have huge leaps of logic and emotive statements, regarding Hitler etc and then theres the claims for world domination by Bush! It's just a load of comic book delusion. You are too blinded by your hatred of the west to hold a coherant debate. I "singled out your reply" because at the time it was the only one there, mine is the 2nd one, see! after that I have been responding to your responses. The others on here have been mostly constructive. Do you really beleive the US is on a mission to exterminate muslims, you're not Muslim by any chance are you?

[jedimistress]

"You're not muslim by any chance?"
By writing this question you inadvertantly admitting guilt in that Zimzam should be upset if she is muslim.

I wouldn't say it was racism against the muslim world, more like an excercise in world domination. But then again I am not a radical Christian like Bush is so I don't have a clue what is going on in his head. Oh and it's probably a lot easier to get away with it if he isn't killing 1,000,000 white people.

I freely admit I hate Bush and what he has done. I don't see the problem with that.

[Loosehead]

no jedimistress by asking the question I am putting forward a hypothesis as to the reasons for the general stance zimzam is taking.

[MrBen5]

Hmmm, the US has been bombing somalia and many others like that for ages. Its just becuase there isnt much news about at the moment, thats why its made headline news.
They arent bombong the somalians on purpose. They are rooting out al quaida terror cells and have been since 9/11. They are trying to break the cells before they get 'structual'.
As more and more middle east people are getting educated and realising that life is worth living, the terrororists are being forced to recruit from more of the 'less educated' countries...