Somalia: The Next Proxy War?

Recently, fellow blogger and friend of Coming Anarchy, Eddie, pointed out this post to me:

Somalia seems to be preparing for another war / War-clouds gather over Mogadishu

The U.S. believes some of the world’s most wanted al-Qaida leaders are being protected by Islamic extremists in Somalia, and may be backing local militants in their fight for control of the lawless nation’s capital, a battle that could soon explode in widespread violence.

Clan leaders believed backed by the U.S. have put aside their traditional rivalries to take on the extremists, whom they describe as terrorists. The extremists, though, say they can offer unity and order after decades of chaos in this Horn of Africa state.

It goes on to discuss increasing arms shipments coming into Somalia from “a nearby country” payed for by unidentified sources. Meanwhile, today’s news confirms that the instability and violence in Somalia is growing:

Many hundreds of residents of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, are fleeing their homes, as warlords and Islamist militias battle for control. The alliance of warlords has accused the Islamists of indiscriminate shelling, designed to provoke fear among the civilian population.

The fighting between the Islamists and a group of warlords has killed some 120 people, in the worst clashes for years. Many Somalis accuse the US of backing the alliance of warlords. The BBC’s Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says this belief is fuelling the violence.

Could this be one of many future proxy wars between the United States and Al Qaeda? If you don’t think so, read Imperial Grunts. for information on Civil Affairs and Special operations in Africa.

SIDENOTE: It seems this blogger was hit by jihadi hackers. No problem, for the time being his blog runs the “Mohammed Hamster Dance” until the blog is back up.