Mogadishu burns

Somalia's lawless capital, Mogadishu, was yet again the scene of vicious battling that left more than eighty dead. An intense exchange of small arms and mortar fire between Ethiopian and Somali troops and opponents of the Transitional Federal Government (TGF) wounded another 119. The fighting started Saturday and according to a journalist on the scene, was spreading rapidly throughout the war-torn city. US-backed Ethiopian troops were deployed in late 2006 to back the official government and oust the Islamic Courts Union, which had taken over Mogadishu and much of the country. However, some residents claim the fighting is a nationalist movement to remove what they claim is an Ethiopian occupation. Somalia's TGF, on the other hand, says it is attempting to quell an Islamist-led insurgency that threatens the nascent government.

The toD verdict: In recent months, Somalis have been fleeing their country in greater numbers, seeking refuge in the UN-run camp in southern Yemen. Since January 14,500 people, most from Mogadishu, have made the perilous trip across the Gulf of Aden. The UN estimates one in twenty never make it. Another UN estimates says 700,000 civilians have deserted the city. Horror stories abound. Claire Bourgeois, Yemen country director for the UNCHR says. "We have one woman here whose three-year-old child was thrown overboard just because she was crying too much." The risk, however, seems to outweigh the horror of living amidst constant war.

The escalating violence in Mogadishu is pushing the chaos beyond reprieve. Some Somalia experts claim the situation has never been so dire. For a country that has suffered 17 years of anarchy, such a claim cannot be ignored. A small contingent of African Union peacekeepers stands idly by as warlords run the country without impunity. Last year, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said deploying a UN peacekeeping force was unrealistic due to concerns over security. In the meantime, the US engages in covert and shadowy operations against Somalia's militant Islamists with the aim of preventing extremism from taking any further root. In early March, the US launched a missile strike against a southern Somali town. But President Bush's interventions are having an opposite effect, fomenting anger amongst a populace who prefer the security of the ruthless Islamic courts than the endless anarchy and hidden agendas of Ethiopia's at-times brutal leader, the US-backed Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

The latest fighting is a clear indication that the TFG has failed to restore stability and win public support. Despite (or as a result of) the presence of Ethiopian troops and the US's narrow vision of counter-terrorism, Somalia is nowhere near to achieving stability. The US must, along with the international community, face the prospect of radically shifting the focus from combating terrorism as a priori to bringing stability to the war torn country.

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Iraqi forces backed by aerial support from the US and Britain raided Basra on Saturday to flush out Shia militants. The New York Times reports that Iraqi soldiers have taken control over the area, a hotspot of previous clashes.  The take-over comes in light of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's threats to wage an all out war if Iraqi and coalition forces continue to target his supporters. In a surprise move, the Iranian ambassador Hassan Kazemi Qumi praised the raids against the militants, contradicting earlier reports that linked al-Sadr's sucess last month in Basra to his allegedly close ties to Iran. The ambassador's remarks may indicate waning Iranian support for Sadr's Mahdi Army. However, Qumi still protested against the bombing of innocent people by US led coalition forces. Meanwhile, the Iranian online daily, Payvand News of Iran, reports that Iran and the US are to resume talks on matters of Iraqi security in Kuwait though a date has yet to be announced.

Iraqi Kurds support PKK

Despite their hardships, Iraqi Kurds scattered throughout the remote regions of northern Iraq continue to support Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) action against Turkey and Iran. Somewhere in the Qandil mountain range that runs through three countries, PKK and Party for Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK) bases still operate despite the week-long Turkish military operation in February. Economic hardships and war are taking their toll. In one district, some 160 families live in an improvised camp. In another, it's the same story. Bridges have been destroyed and roads are no longer viable. Still, Iraqi Kurds remain hopeful and most, according to an Iraqi Crisis Report, support the rebels.

UK endorses Pakistan's latest strategy - negotiations

In a move that departs from the typical combative approach of Nato and coalition forces, the UK has agreed to support Pakistan's strategy of negotiating with militants.  The move marks a striking departure from Washington-backed President Pervez Musharraf's tough stand against militants in the restive northwest border regions of the country. However, the International Herald Tribune reports that US commanders in Afghanistan are urging Washington to green-light attacks against Pakistanis militants.

Britain's foreign secretary, David Miliband, has agreed to Pakistan's new plans to negotiate with al-Qaida and Taliban militants in the troubled areas along the border with Afghanistan. "Our position is very clear. We should negotiate with those who are willing to negotiate. We should reconcile with those who are willing to reconcile," said Miliband in Peshawar, capital of the North West Frontier Province. Miliband's announcement follows Washington's recent endorsement of Pakistan's more subdued strategy. Only last week, the US agreed to shell out $7 billion to bolster bilateral relations with Pakistan's new civilian government.

Indian aid to Afghanistan

At the Indian Global Forum in New Delhi, India's Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said his country was committed to help reconstruct Afghanistan. Over $850 million has been slated for the works though Menon did not specify the projects. There are currently 4000 Indians working in Afghanistan, he said.

Israel soldiers speak of terror

A group of young Israeli conscripts are speaking out against the treatment of Palestinians in Hebron. Hebron is a Jewish occupied settlement inside the West Bank and is under Israeli military patrol 24/7. An Israeli NGO, Breaking the Silence, is compiling the testimonies. Ex-Israeli combat soldier Yehuda Shaul, who served in the army during the latest intifada, says Arabs are being violently abused by Jewish settlers and Israeli soldiers. The conscripts say soldiers sometimes even loot Arab homes and shops and fire upon them without any provocations.

Carter's Hamas meeting sparks debate

Former US President Jimmy Carter on Friday met with the exiled political leader of Hamas, Khaled Mashal in Damascus. The quartet - US, UN, EU and Russia - consider Hamas a terrorist organization and refuse to enter discussions if it does not first renounce violence and recognize Israel.  The controversial meeting has sparked debate. Mark Perry, journalist and co-director of the Conflicts Forum, views Carter's unofficial meeting as step in the right direction in resolving the dispute. The meeting has also drawn sharp criticism. Robert Satloff, executive director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, says the meeting legitimizes terrorism. However, while in Jerusalem today, Carter said Hamas are willing to recognise the Jewish state for the sake of peace.