Category: General

A large fire broke out at a fuel storage depot in Indonesia’s capital Friday, killing at least 17 people, injuring dozens of others and forcing the evacuation of thousands of nearby residents after spreading to their neighborhood, officials said.

The Plumpang fuel storage station, operated by state-run oil and gas company Pertamina, is near a densely populated area in the Tanah Merah neighborhood in North Jakarta. It supplies 25% of Indonesia’s fuel needs.

At least 260 firefighters and 52 fire engines were struggling to contain the blaze in the nearby neighborhood, fire officials said.

Video of the fire broadcast on television showed hundreds of people in the community running in panic while thick plumes of black smoke and orange flames filled the sky and firefighters battled the blaze.

A preliminary investigation showed the fire broke out when a pipeline ruptured during heavy rain, possibly from a lightning strike, said Eko Kristiawan, Pertamina’s area manager.

He said the fire would not disrupt the country’s fuel supply.

The acting Jakarta Governor Heru Budi Hartono, said about 600 displaced people were being taken to temporary shelters at several government offices and a sport stadium.

Satriadi Gunawan, who heads Jakarta’s fire and rescue department, said at least 17 people were dead, including two children, and 50 had been hospitalized, some with severe burns.

“The fire caused several explosions and quickly spread to residential houses,” Gunawan said.

Indonesia’s minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir, expressed condolences to the victims and their families and ordered Pertamina to thoroughly investigate the fire and focus on quickly assisting the community.

“There must be an operational evaluation in the future. I’ll continue to monitor this case,” Thohir said in a video statement.

Friday’s fire was the second large blaze at the Plumpang fuel depot. In 2014, a fire engulfed at least 40 nearby houses, but no casualties were reported.

Fahmi Radhi, an energy analyst from Gajah Mada University, urged Pertamina and the government to immediately move the depot away from the nearby community settlements.

“Pertamina has been negligent by not using international standard security systems,” he said in an interview with KOMPAS TV. He said that since the 2014 fire there had been no efforts to put such a system in place and that regular inspections should be conducted to avoid future fires.

Source: Somali National News Agency

In a joint operation conducted by the Somali National Army’s Danab Commandos of the Somali National Army and the Jubbaland State Forces, a successful raid was carried out in the Turdho area and surrounding locations in Lower Jubba. The operation resulted in the elimination of several Al-Shabaab militants.

Captain Carab Dheeg Ahmed, the commander of the 5th battalion, 16th division of Danab Special Forces, confirmed to the national media that 13 members of the Khawaarij group were killed in the operation. Among the deceased was a senior leader of the group, AruriyoMohamed Omar, also known as Ahmed Sahal.

The joint operation was conducted with precision and expertise, leading to the successful neutralization of the militants. The operation is a significant blow to the Al-Shabaab group, which has been active in the region for years.

The Somali National Army and Jubbaland State Forces have been working together to combat terrorism and restore peace and stability to the region. This latest operation is a testament to their commitment to achieving these goals and protecting the people of Somalia.

The government of Somalia has praised the efforts of the Danab Commandos and Jubbaland State Forces and expressed its commitment to continuing the fight against terrorism in the region. The success of this operation is a step towards a more secure and peaceful future for the people of Somalia.

Source: Somali National News Agency

The State Minister of the Ministry of Interior and National Security of the Federal Government of Somalia, Mohamed Ali Hagaa, led a delegation to the 40th conference of the Arab League Council of Interior and National Security Ministers held in Tunisia. The conference brought together leaders and experts from Arab countries to discuss issues related to regional security and law enforcement.

During the conference, State Minister Hagaa held several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Comoros, Tunisia, and the Secretary-General of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. The meetings focused on enhancing cooperation and coordination among Arab countries to address shared security challenges.

The annual conference highlighted a range of pressing issues, including combating terrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal influx of immigrants under the rule of law. Participants discussed strategies and best practices for preventing and countering these threats while upholding human rights and the rule of law.

The conference also provided an opportunity for Somali officials to share their experiences and learn from the successes and challenges faced by other Arab countries in the region. State Minister Hagaa expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended by the Tunisian government and reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to working with Arab partners to promote regional security and stability

Source: Somali National News Agency

The Political and Security Committee (PSC) has approved additional support for the Somali National Army (SNA) and for the military component of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Both actions aim at contributing to the handover of security responsibilities from ATMIS to the SNA, by allowing the former to fulfil its mandate while strengthening the capacities of the latter.

The EU will add €85 million to the resources already mobilised for ATMIS for 2023 and €25million for the SNA.

For ATMIS, the agreed support will mostly contribute to the troop allowances of the African soldiers deployed. Over the period 1 July 2021 – 31 December 2022, previous support under the EPF amounted to €185 million.

For the SNA, it will focus on the provision of non-lethal equipment and on infrastructure works, in close coordination with the European Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM-S). A previous support to the SNA under the EPF had been approved in November 2021 and amount to €20 million.

Background

The EU is the largest direct contributor to ATMIS for a total amount of €2.4 billion since 2007. The EU is ready to remain closely engaged and fully committed to contributing to the activities of the ATMIS and consolidate the achievements attained so far.

In line with the EU’s Integrated Approach to external conflicts and crises, EPF funding for ATMIS is one element of a broader, coordinated and coherent engagement of the EU to support security and peace in Somalia, and in the Horn of Africa at large. It is notably paired with capacity-building support to the SNA, with the aim of allowing a handover of security responsibilities. The EU support to Somalia in this regard is in line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and with the Somali Transition Plan.

The support for the military component of ATMIS and for the SNA are financed under the Assistance Measure in support of African-led Peace Support Operations worth €600 million under the EPF covering the period 2022-2024.

Source: Somali National News Agency

The Somali Prime Minister, H.E Hamza Abdi Barre joined worshippers today at the Mosque of Islamic Solidarity in Mogadishu for Friday prayers. Accompanied by members of parliament from both houses, the Prime Minister spoke about the importance of human life and the need for individuals to work towards peace and harmony.

During his address, the Prime Minister emphasized the value of human life and called for the creation of a more peaceful and stable Somalia. He also urged the public to support the government in its efforts to restore and maintain peace in the country.

The Prime Minister’s visit to the mosque is seen as a positive step towards promoting unity and cooperation in Somalia. His message of peace and harmony was well-received by the thousands of worshippers in attendance, who are looking for leadership and stability in their country.

The Prime Minister also called for vigilance in defeating the Khawarij group, which is seen as a major obstacle to peace and development in Somalia. The group has been responsible for numerous attacks in the country, and the Prime Minister’s call for the public to work with the government in defeating them is crucial in the ongoing fight against terrorism in Somalia.

The Prime Minister’s attendance at Friday prayers, along with members of parliament, demonstrates the government’s commitment to working with the people of Somalia to create a more peaceful and stable society. His call for public support is a reminder that the government cannot do it alone, and that the people of Somalia must play an active role in the country’s development.

The Prime Minister’s visit to the Mosque of Islamic Solidarity is also significant as it highlights the importance of religion in Somali society. Religion plays a crucial role in the daily lives of Somalis, and the Prime Minister’s attendance at Friday prayers sends a message of unity and inclusivity.

The Prime Minister’s attendance at Friday prayers and his message of peace and cooperation were seen as positive steps towards a more stable and prosperous Somalia. As the country continues to face challenges, the government’s commitment to working with the people to create a better future is crucial. The Prime Minister’s visit to the Mosque of Islamic Solidarity is a reminder of the important role that religion can play in promoting unity and cooperation in Somali society.

Source: Somali National News Agency

An activity entitled Ambassadors Face to Face with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) was recently held in Beijing.

Organized by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event was joined by 110 diplomatic envoys of foreign countries and representatives of international organizations, during which they visited the Chinese engineering and construction giant and held talks with the company’s management.

In a speech, Wang Tongzhou, Chairman of CCCC explained the company’s vision of making the world smoother, cities more livable and life more colorful, and introduced in detail the high-level infrastructure projects built by the company around the world, including the Peljesac Bridge in Croatia, the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge in the Maldives and the Zemun-Borca Bridge in Serbia.

He said China, while promoting high-level opening up and working to build a community with a shared future for mankind, will create more opportunities of cooperation for governments and enterprises across the world.

K. K. Yoganaadan, Deputy Chief of the Mission of the Sri Lankan Embassy in China, said the CCCC-built Colombo Port City was nicknamed the “city of the future” by local residents, as both its design and construction are futuristic and tech-ish. It is hoped that Sri Lanka could deepen its cooperation with China in infrastructure so that the two countries can better share each other’s development dividends, he added.

Diplomatic envoys of foreign countries and representatives of international organizations visit China Communications Construction Company. (People’s Daily/Li Xiao)

Pakistani Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque noted Pakistan and China have witnessed fruitful results in their cooperation in various fields, which has forcefully driven their economic and livelihood development.

He hopes the two countries can enhance practical cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), especially in infrastructure. Pakistan and China share ample room and enjoy abundant opportunities for cooperation, he added.

Diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations also visited exhibition halls of optical technology and urban renewal at a CCCC subsidiary, where they witnessed China’s development and philosophy in the realm of optical technology.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI proposed by President Xi Jinping. Diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations attending the event said the initiative carries huge development opportunities and heralds development prospects, and some BRI projects have already brought tangible benefits to local economy and livelihood after being implemented.

They hope their countries can keep the momentum for cooperation with China, continue consolidating the foundation for cooperation, and jointly build a better future with China.

Source: Somali National News Agency

Al Shabaab has lost the confidence of the Somali people due to their brutal and heinous acts of terror. As a result, the group is now resorting to desperate attempts to win back the trust of the public by pretending to address community problems. However, people are becoming increasingly aware of their cunning ways and are not falling for their false promises. Al Shabaab’s recent attempts to portray themselves as problem solvers are just a facade, and the Somali people see through it.

The government has issued a strong response to recent statements made by the terror group, Al Shabaab, claiming they will take action against drug addiction and distribution in Mogadishu. The government made it clear that Al Shabaab’s claims to address community problems are entirely disingenuous, and their aim is to promote their extremist ideology through violence and terror.

Al Shabaab is a group that has committed countless atrocities, showing no regard for the lives or well-being of the Somali people. However, recent events have shown that their tactics are losing effectiveness, as the public is becoming increasingly aware of their activities and is taking action to expose them.

The government commends the bravery of those who have come forward to report suspicious activities and help uncover hidden weapons caches, demonstrating the Somali people’s commitment to promoting peace and stability in their communities. The government encourages all Somalis to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

The government has established institutions that are equipped to deal with crime, provide justice, prosecution, and rehabilitation for those struggling with addiction. The public is encouraged to work with these institutions to address community problems in a lawful and peaceful manner.

The government urges the Somali people to reject the false promises of Al Shabaab and stand together in promoting peace and stability in their communities. The government will continue to work tirelessly to combat terrorism and extremism and build a brighter future for the country.

Source: Somali National News Agency

Can Somalia’s frontline states eradicate so-called cross-border terrorism before ATMIS exits in 2024?

Earlier this year, the top leaders of Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya agreed to begin “Search and destroy” operations to push Al-Shabab militants out of neighboring Somalia.

The move follows an intensified offensive by Somalia’s federal government against the al-Qaeda-affiliated group over the past few months.

It has taken back control of several towns and villages in central Somalia with the help of the U.S. military, allied clan militias, and forces belonging to Somali regional governments.

Kenya’s President William Ruto, Djibouti’s President Ismail Omer Guelleh, and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met their Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu to review measures to weaken Al-Shabaab.

“The summit … agreed to jointly plan and organize a robust operational campaign at the frontline states level, of search and destroy on multiple frontlines aiming at key Al-Shabaab strongholds across the south and central Somalia,” they said in a joint statement.

What to expect?

Speeding up ongoingly targeted and sustained campaigns by the Somali Security Forces (SSF) intends for at degrading the capability of terrorist groups.

Current operations in Somalia, with ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia) and SSF in the forefront are directed at “diminishing” al-Shabaab’s operational capability and “Building on the rejection of the terror group by the Somali public”.

We’ve seen the reviewed conclusions reached by a conclave of defense ministers and defense force chiefs from the four states on the importance of coordinated and timely technical, logistical, intelligence, and operational support to accelerate anti-terror operations with the Somali National Army (SNA).

During the summit, leaders present agreed to make a final push for joint operations in the areas still under terrorist control to “completely liberate the whole of Somalia from Al-Shabaab”. This, in turn, will facilitate the drawdown of ATMIS troops and the gradual handover of security responsibility ties to the SSD. The leaders applauded “significant progress” in Somalia with more regions recovered by SSF in conjunction with ATMIS troops.

“They (the leaders) were all in common agreement on progress to rebuild and modernize Somalia’s security forces through unified efforts of force generation, capability development and support with firepower and multiplies,” the Kenya statement said.

Somali leaders want lethal and non-lethal support to equip the new SNA units and enhance the firepower of current SNA operational units the summit heard in addition to endorsing the East African country’s “quest to completely lift an arms embargo by the end of 2023”.

The Summit, the Kenya Defence Ministry statement has it, came at a crucial moment as security forces in Somalia continue to liberate more areas that have been under Al-Shabaab to enable the federal government to enhance service delivery and extend its authority. The importance of establishing a joint border security mechanism to eliminate cross-border terrorism activities and ensure the legal passage of trade and movement was stressed.

The Way-forward

To avoid the recapture of AS in the liberated areas, it is important to resume life and basic services in the liberated areas and ensure their safety.

Economically, this campaign costs millions of dollars, so Somalia’s frontline state should ask for friendly, financial, and military assistance from militarily more advanced countries to finalize the ops in a short period.

The punctuality of the fourth phase of ATMIS (Liquidation and removal) will encourage the acceleration of “search and destroy” operations, and may be enough for the rest of the time, I think.

Civilian Casualties

As usual, any operation to liberate the areas controlled by the AS can be weakened as the government ensures that some operations are harmed by the civilians living under the areas controlled by the AS.

Earlier, President Mohamud told to Up-front program from Aljazeera that there are civilian casualties caused by airstrikes targeting AS leaders, but the government should do its best to avoid harm to the public, especially when the airstrikes are carried out during the fight against terrorism.

It is important that “search and destroy” operations are very cautious not to destroy civilians, their livestock, or their farms.

In conclusion, I think that all the things pointed out above are the most critical for the enactment of SFSS2023 plans and the search for economic and military consolidation in the world.

The opinions of this commentary are solely those of the author.

Source: Somali National News Agency