The Guardian: UK weighs up military strikes against Somalia

[cem]

The Guardian, 22 February 2012






Daily Express, 23 February 2012






The Independent, 22 December 2011

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http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/02/28/18708307.php


The Guardian: UK weighs up military strikes against Somalia rebels



[propaganda alert]

compiled by Cem Ertür

28 February 2012






1) The Guardian: UK weighs up military strikes against Somalia rebels (22 February 2012)

2) MI5 chief: It is only a matter of time before we see Al Shabaab-inspired terrorism on our streets (16 September 2010)

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/21/uk-considers-air-strikes-s omalia


UK weighs up strikes against Somalia rebels (*)

‘War games’ drawn up for air raids on pirates and insurgents

by Nick Hopkins and Richard Norton-Taylor, The Guardian, 22 February 2012


Mounting concern about the twin threats posed by pirates and Islamic insurgents operating in Somalia has led Britain and other EU nations to consider the feasibility of air strikes against their logistical hubs and training camps, the Guardian has been told. [...]

According to sources, the international coalition that has been spearheading the fight against the pirates drew up contingency plans in the summer of 2010, and again last year, for what was termed "over the beach" air strikes against Somali camps.

The UK has also considered plans for attacking targets in places where al-Shabaab and the pirates appear to co-exist, particularly in southern Somalia. [...]

It is believed the British, Dutch, French and Americans would be the most likely to support military action, if the need arose.

The US is already taking great interest in Somalia and has begun missile strikes from unmanned drones against members of al-Shabaab, which is said to have growing links with al-Qaida affiliates in other countries, and is attempting to "export" violence to other countries in Africa.

The group claimed responsibility for twin bombings in Uganda two years ago that killed 74 people as they were watching coverage of the World Cup in South Africa. In recent months statements said to have come from the group's leaders have proclaimed greater links with al-Qaida's goals of global jihad.

Up to 200 foreigners, including 40 Britons, are know to have travelled to Somalia in the past six years seeking al-Shabaab's training camps, in the same way that extremists went to Afghanistan and Pakistan in the 1990s. Some have been caught and are facing trial in the region, but intelligence agencies say it is only a matter of time before one of them attempts to bring terror back to their homeland.

With words that seemed to echo the reasons for invading Afghanistan, Cameron recently said that Somalia was a "failed state that directly threatens British interests".

The head of the British military, General Sir David Richards, also appeared to hint at the potential for military action in a speech shortly before Christmas. "Treating the causes of instability and terrorism at source is better and cheaper than dealing with the consequences, as Somalia's piracy demonstrates," he said.



(*) title of the print edition


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from the archives:



“In Somalia, […] there are a significant number of UK residents training in Al Shabaab camps to fight in the insurgency there. Al Shabaab, an Islamist militia in Somalia, is closely aligned with Al Qaida and Somalia shows many of the characteristics that made Afghanistan so dangerous as a seedbed for terrorism in the period before the fall of the Taleban. […]

We need to do whatever we can to stop people from this country becoming involved in terrorism and murder in Somalia, but beyond that I am concerned that it is only a matter of time before we see terrorism on our streets inspired by those who are today fighting alongside Al Shabaab.”


[Head of MI5 Jonathan Evans, speech at the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, London, 16 September 2010] [1]





[1] Address at the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals by the Director General of the Security Service, Jonathan Evans

MI5 website, 16 September 2010

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/output/the-threat-to-national-security.html


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related news:



We give £220m to ‘terror capital’ Somalia

David Cameron is set to ignite fresh anger at Britain’s soaring overseas handouts bill today by pledging millions to war-torn Somalia.

by Macer Hall, Daily Express, 23 February 2012

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/303858/We-give-220m-to-world-s-ter ror-capital-




Britain's new year resolution: intervene in Somalia

Cameron claims failed East African state poses a direct threat to British interests.

by Kim Sengupta, The Independent, 22 December 2011

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/britains-new-year-resol ution-intervene-in-somalia-6280391.html


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related documents:



London Conference on Somalia: Communique

Full text of the Communique from the London Conference on Somalia at Lancaster House on 23 February

Foreign & Commonwealth Office website, 23 February 2012

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=PressS&id=727627582




Prime Minister's speech at Somalia conference

by UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Number 10 website, 23 February 2012

http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/somalia-speech/




Transcript of interview with PM ahead of Somali conference

UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s interview with BBC Somali Service, Number 10 website, 23 February 2012

http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/transcript-of-interview-with-pm-ahead- of-somali-conference/




Why the international community has to come together to help Somalia

by UK Foreign Minister William Hague, Huffington Post, 4 February 2012

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/william-hague/somalia-why-we-have-to-h elp_b_1254209.html




12th annual Chief of Defence Staff lecture

Speech delivered by Chief of Defence Staff at the Royal United Services Institute, London on Wednesday 14 December 2011

by UK armed forces chief David Richards, Ministry of Defence website, 14 December 2011

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/People/Speeches/ChiefSt aff/2011121412thAnnualChiefOfDefenceStaffLecture.htm


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related articles:



Britain, don’t attack Somalia!
How intelligence agencies are “looking hard for links” with terrorists

by T. J. Coles, Axis of Logic, 21 January 2012

http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/Article_64264.shtml




Horn of Africa: US proxy war in Somalia veers towards regional conflict

Ethiopia’s anticipated invasion marks scramble for territory with Kenyan rival

by Finian Cunningham, Global Research, 1 January 2012

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=28443




French ships, U.S. drones attack Somalia as Kenyan troops invade

U.S.-backed regimes abet imperialist aggression

by Abayomi Azikiwe, Global Research, 11 November 2011

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=27597




Somalia: Western media indulge US and French denials of new war in famine-hit Horn of Africa

by Finian Cunningham, Global Research, 26 October 2011

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=27310




Is Washington using famine in the Horn of Africa to embark on yet another illegal war?

US drones coordinate air power for Kenyan ground invasion of Somalia

by Finian Cunningham, Global Research, 19 October 2011

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=27165




Somalis under relentless drone attack as U.S. tightens military grip on continent

by Glen Ford, Black Agenda Report, 18 October 2011

http://blackagendareport.com/content/somalis-under-relentless-drone-at tack-us-tightens-military-grip-continent


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propaganda alerts:



British government: 13,500 troops to be deployed for the London 2012 Olympics

by Cem Ertür, San Francisco Bay Area Independent Media Center, 16 December 2011

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/12/16/18702893.php




The Guardian: Britain prepares to take part in US strikes against Iran

by Cem Ertür, San Fransisco Bay Area Independent Media Center, 2 November 2011

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/11/02/18696864.php


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[Disco_Destroyer]

all I can add is look where it is on the map