North Kivu:The security situation report!

  ....LIVE FROM THE FRONTLINE.........

The security situation at midday on Thursday March 21 is such that Major General CHICO TSHITAMBUE is rumoured to have  been called to Kinshasa with a few other senior officers, as part of investigations into the fall of the large rear base of operations against the M23_RDF from Rwindi. However, no military authority has yet expressed itself on these facts stated in a telegram circulating on social networks, dating from March 20. On the front lines, a lull is observed on the axis  Sake_Minova passing through Shasha, where at 9:35 a.m. in the morning, the M23 rebels fired 2 bombs at a food transport boat which was leaving Minova for Goma, but were unable to reach it. Since 4 a.m., clashes between M23 rebels and young patriotic resistance fighters called Wazalendo have been reported in Kirumbu and Mpati. It is 2:01 p.m., these fights continue, according to our sources in the region. During the night of Wednesday in this Thursday during clashes between the M23 rebels and a unit of the CMC_Nyatura group which was on patrol towards Katendere, 3 dead and 1 injured on the M23-RDF side and 2 dead on the Wazalendo side CMC, this is the report reaching us .In reinforcement of the M23 positions, 3 KAMAZ brand trucks filled with soldiers and 10 4X4 jeeps leaving the Rwindi road towards Kikuku, passed through Bwalanda. Several sources affirm that some of these soldiers arrived in Kitshanga and Kilolirwe, and others went to Kibarizo.In nyiragongo,there was a security meeting between the political leaders of the area with the  wazalendo's to assess the sicurity situation.A few minutes ago,  FARDC and Wazalendo  entered the strategic village of Shasha .As of now,the fighting is continuing on the nearby hills.

Alshaabab claims ambushing NISA ,killing and injuring some!

In some few minutes back,Alshabaab claim to have  ambushed NISA soldiers in Jambalul village, near Afgoye town, Monday. They claim to have killed13 SNA soldiers and wounding 9 others in this ambush. it also released photos claiming them to be dead bodies of NISA soldiers.

....we need to fight terrorism.....

Domestic products prices,transport fares abnormally rises up in Masisi

 In Masisi-Centre, a packet of salt which used to cost 500 FC, is currently being negotiated between 2,500 and 3,000 FC. The suffering of the population is only increasing. 1 person is forced to pay 80,000 or even 100,000 FC for a trip on a motorcycle, minus the multiple hassles. Making a round trip has become a miracle on this road where the population must face two forces (RDF, Fardc_wazalendo) before reaching the city of Goma. Besides that, the harassment of armed men everywhere on the road.

UPDF alerts on an infiltration by ADF terrorists,the grobal terror index reports more terror threats globally

 

As Uganda alerts of an infiltration by some ADF terrorists,let's us look at the grobal index of terrorism as shared by the Kenyan counter terrorism police.As it is stressed out,information about terrorists should not be  classified information, it should get out to public, for the fight against terror must start with the civilian population.

Sub-Saharan Africa countries continue to bear the brunt of terrorism leading to deaths and affecting economies.

Terrorism thrives in countries with existing conflicts hence there is need to address conflict situations to guarantee peace and security.

Terrorism in all its manifestations remains a global threat that States need to work together to reduce its impact and harm to guarantee peace and security.

It's alarming that terrorist groups  continue to kill innocent people, cause fear and pandemonium across the world.

Fighting terrorism requires States to collaborate by sharing information/intelligence, security agencies to conduct joint trainings, carry out joint counter terrorism operations, develop stringent counter terrorism laws and arrest/prosecute terrorists within their jurisdictions to act as deterrence to engaging in terrorism activities.

States, United Nations and other global institutions need also to firmly condemn States engaging in State sponsored terrorism.

Terrorism is a transnational crime that can be best dealt with through global partnership.

As a regional counter terrorism superpower, Kenya has been instrumental in providing leadership in the fight against terrorism in the region.

It remains Somalia's dependable partner in fighting AlShabaab, which is significantly degraded but still poses a threat in the region.

States need to support Somalia in fighting AlShabaab to make the region safe and secure.

Countries need to deploy human and material resources to fight terrorism to safeguard people and properties.

It's clear terror groups are our enemies that need to be fought on air, land and sea.

Terrorism is claiming many innocent people globally hence stakeholders need to do everything humanly possible to reverse the trend.

It's instructive to note that war against terrorism is too important to be left to governments alone.

Citizens remain first line of defense in war on terror by providing information to security agencies for action.

Somali prime minister chairs a security meeting

 

Somali Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre chaired a security meeting regarding the country's security situation, particularly focusing on military operations and ensuring the safety of the capital following the deadly al-Shabab attack on a hotel near the presidential palace in Mogadishu.

Attending Sunday's meeting in Mogadishu were the Minister of Defence, the Acting Minister of Internal Security, commanders of the military, police, and intelligence, the Attorney General, the Governor of Banadir Region and the Mayor of Mogadishu.The army commander provided a brief report on the country's security during the holy month of Ramadan, ongoing military operations, and the recent al-Shabab attack on the SYL hotel.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of security agencies being more vigilant and ensuring the safety of the nation, remaining alert to al-Shabab attacks aimed at endangering the Somali people's safety.

He also underscored the significance of eradicating the Al-Shabaab terrorists and enhancing cooperation between the army and the civilian population.

Three government soldiers were killed, and 27 others, including 18 civilians and three lawmakers, were wounded in the hours-long siege at the SYL Hotel, which is popular among government officials.

On Sunday, at least 18 of the most severely wounded people from Thursday's al-Shabab attack on the SYL hotel in Mogadishu were airlifted to Turkey for treatment.

SADC knows it well that it is facing an M23 with sophisticated weaponary systems

 The Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is, reports have it, facing an M23 rebel grouping with high-tech armament at its disposal.

M23 is an abbreviation of the March 23 Movement (Mouvement du 23 mars in French) also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army and comprising mostly Tutsis. It is based in the eastern DRC and operates mainly in North Kivu province.

United Kingdom based defence and security information provider Jane’s earlier February reported “sophisticated guided mortar rounds” were being used against government FARDC (Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo) forces in North Kivu.

At the same time, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that the rebel group had “sophisticated weapons” including surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). One, suspected to be ex-Rwandan Defence Force (RDF), was fired at a UN (United Nations) “observation drone”, but did not hit it, the publication quotes a “confidential report” as stating. The unmanned aerial vehicle in question was a UN Falco EVO aircraft, which managed to capture footage of the missile launcher.

“External military intelligence from France supports assessment that the suspected WZ551 6×6 IFV mobile SAM system is Rwandan,” according to the report seen by AFP.

Two images attached to the report show a six-wheeled armoured vehicle with a roof-mounted radar and missile launcher system, indicating a Type 92 Yitian version of the WZ551 armoured personnel carrier.

The photos were taken by the targeted UAV about 70 km north of Goma, provincial capital of North Kivu in rebel-held Rutshuru territory.

The UN MONUSCO peacekeeping mission said in the document it had “no past reporting of known armed groups possessing the training, capital or resources to operate and maintain a mobile SAM system”. Use of the suspected WZ551 mobile SAM system, the report notes, “indicates an escalation of conventional force conflict in eastern DRC”.

M23 and “the Rwanda army”, according to the quoted document, have used “numerous weapons against aircraft and also have in their armoury anti-aircraft guns and MANPAD mobile air defence systems”.

Reporting on the “sophisticated guided mortar rounds,” Janes has it a DRC UN group of experts photographed “a previously undocumented 120 mm guide mortar round” found in Murambi last June.

“While the group of experts did not identify the mortar round, saying it was working to trace its origin, the report included a marketing image for the 120 mm Stylet round made by Israel’s Elbit Systems to illustrate what the munition would have looked like when undamaged.

“Elbit says the Stylet is a global positioning system (GPS) guided munition thatcan be launched from an unmodified mortar and hit targets with an accuracy of 10 circular error probable (CEP) out to a range of 9 km.

“The group of experts’ report included two other photographs showing the tail from a similar mortar round recovered after an attack on a FARDC camp in Kanyamahoro on 24 October 2023,” as per the Janes report.

The increasingly sophisticated array of weapons being used by rebel forces in the DRC pose a major threat to MONUSCO peacekeepers, who are to withdraw by year-end, and the new SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which will have about 5 000 troops from South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi. South Africa has committed 2 900 troops to SAMIDRC, who will be deployed until 15 December 2024 at a cost of R2 billion. MONUSCO, by contrast, had some 15 000 troops at its disposal.

The report of the use of SAMs in the DRC came weeks after a SAAF Oryx on a MONUSCO medical evacuation mission was hit 43 times by small arms fire, on 2 February, injuring the aircraft commander and a medic in the cabin.

MONUSCO camp near Goma targeted by rebels

MNUSCO confirms that its camp in MUBAmbiro near Goma was targeted by an armed attack during today's clashes between the Armed Forces of the DRC and the rebels of m23

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Report on the Alshabaab attack on SYL hotel in mogadishu

 

After a 3 hours online meeting with a group of Cyber security analysts today,using Human intelligence, open source intelligence,counter intelligence,Psychological intelligence,counter terrorism sources and observations.we came up with a conclusion on the Thursday night attack on SYL hotel in Mogadishu. The report is as follows.

Death toll rises to 31 as per local hospitals, survivors and responders.

46 injured including six MPs, security people, commander of Haramcad police unit, several officials at the Banadir Regional Administration, the spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office and a journalist.

It took 17 hours to end the siege (from 21.41 pm Thursday to 3.00pm Friday). The siege was ended thanks to the support provided by the U.S-trained unit Gaashaan. 

The attack targeted the hotel while clan politicians and government security/militia commanders were meeting. However, it's important to note that the hotel also serves as a residence for dozens of MPs and politicians.

Total Al-Shabaab attackers confirmed to be 7.  Only 5 bodies were found - they were wearing civilian clothes. The two others are missing.  The attackers were able to communicate to Al-Shabaab radio and broadcast live reporting from the hotel. Their audio voices were transmitted via Telegram channels. 

The brand new Toyota vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) used for the first explosion also brought weapons for the attackers moments before they stormed the hotel perimeter. Security sources confirm the vehicle came through the Sayidka Junction security checkpoint. This is the main reason Hassan Mohamud was angry and decided to visit and see the CCTV monitoring room inside HSNQ NISA headquarters.

A second explosion took place in the middle of the attack but details are still shady. Both explosions also damaged nearby civilian buildings with possible casualties as the area is densely populated. 

The SYL Hotel was one of the most heavily guarded buildings in Mogadishu. Not only is it situated in the vicinity of the presidential palace commonly known as Villa Somalia, but it also serves as a primary residence and central hub for government officials and security personnel, particularly those working within the presidency, the Office of the Prime Minister, Parliament, and officials at the district level in Mogadishu.

If you have not been to Mogadishu, you need to note that there are six different checkpoints surrounded to this small area.The check points are Sayidka, Shimbiraale, 15 May, Boondheere, Daljirka, and  Ceelgaabta. All these checkpoints are strict and manned by heavily armed presidential guards plus NISA officers.  Civilian cars without certain gov't IDs are not permitted at all. There have been numerous threat alerts against this hotel and others that have been well publicized months ago.The Thursday night's attack occurs amidst significant developments: the planned reshuffle of cabinet ministers and and removal of security officials, including Mahad Salad of HSNQ NISA. It's a common occurrence in Mogadishu that whenever someone feels their position is threatened, they resort to compromise and plot to derail proceedings.

The hotel siege in Mogadishu on Thursday requires thorough investigation, accountability for perpetrators and plotters, and justice for the victims. It's evident that the incident has both political and terror-related dimensions that need to be addressed.

However ,many say the figures of the victims are being over exaggerated by Gorvenment opposition.Some hours there were reports that one of the attackers was a worker to the parliament which was later blandished fake by a number investigators.

"One of the attackers of the SYL hotel that led to death of 31 and 46 others injured is an employee of the Somali Federal Parliament.

He is not alone out of 7 terrorist attackers, only 5 were killed while 2 are still at large under hide.

Only a thorough investigation into NISA and its terrorist infiltrators is require.

We all need to team up to fight terrorism.

FOR GOD  AND MY COUNTRY

Alshabaab hijacks a hotel near the presidential palace

 

In this operation code names " Inghimasi" in somali ,Militants from the Islamist al-Shabab group have attacked a hotel near the presidential palace in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, security sources and witnesses said.

The group has attacked the Syl Hotel before, which is popular with government officials.

Witnesses reported blasts and gunfire coming from the hotel, telling Reuters that fighters were still inside.

It was not immediately clear if there were casualties.

"The armed Mujahideen control the hotel and are shooting workers and officers" of the government in the hotel, al-Shabab said in a statement claiming responsibility for the attack.

Resident Farah Ali, who lives near the president's office, told Reuters: "We first heard a huge blast, and then gunfire followed. We understand the fighters are inside [the hotel] for we hear exchange of gunfire."

"Several gunmen forced their way into the building after destroying the perimeter wall with a heavy explosion," a security officer told AFP.

Hassan Nur, who escaped by scaling a wall, said: "I don't know about the casualties but there were many people inside when the attack started."

Other witnesses reported seeing police arriving within minutes of the attack, which triggered a gun battle with militants.

Attacks had reduced in recent weeks amid heightened security after the government intensified its military offensive against the Islamist group.

Al-Shabab controls large parts of southern and central Somalia.

The group is affiliated to al-Qaeda and has waged a brutal insurgency for nearly 20 years against the UN-backed government in Somalia.

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday met defence officials to plan how to reclaim lost territory, Somalia's national news agency Sonna reported.

It is a proscribed terrorist group by countries including the UK and US. The US has intervened militarily to fight against the group.

Its fighters are known for targeting hotels, including the Syl Hotel in 2019.

In 2022, the group stormed the Villa Rays hotel in the capital, killing at least 14 people.

Three years before the storming of the Villa Rays hotel, at least 26 people, inclding a prominent journalist and several foreigners, were killed in an attack on the Asasey hotel in the port of Kismayo, southern Somalia.

This is almost the 11th hour since the siege and the alshabaab in a statement still claim tobbe holding the hotel,it is surprising how the alshabaab managed to beat all the road blocks and this hotel is only accessed by senior military officers only. According to confidants in somalia,this hotel is less than 500 meters away from both the presidential palace & the office of the Prime Minister.This raises questions about how AlShabab managed to infiltrate such a heavily guarded area of the city. 

 That is the alshabaab press statement released this morning.Alshabaab statement released this morning says the siege still ongoing, entered its 11th hour, with its fighters controlling the hotel.Alshabaab also said its militants repelled 7 attempts by govt forces to end the siege.

Information from my confidants and comrades from somalia indicate that this hotel is frequented by top political and military officers and undisclosed number of these have been wounded .

Some of the wounded and killed are listed below.

Ex Somali MP, Farah Abdi Hassan wounded in the ongoing attack at SYL hotel.

Spokesperson of OPM Somalia,  wounded in an ongoing attack on SYL hotel.

 MP, Osman Dhere, killed in an ongoing attack on SYL hotel

Abdihamid Fanah, Commander of the Turkish trained troops known as Haram'ad has been wounded in an ongoing attack on SYL hotel.

Wadajir deputy DC, Ali Indhoy injured in the ongoing attack at SYL hotel.

General Secretary of Banadir Region Administration, Feysal Arale, wounded in an ongoing attack on SYL hotel.

There are many disturbing video of alshabaab  patrolling the hotel and because of security reasons ,I cannot have them published here!

M23 preparing to lead an imcursion into Goma through a planned demonstration

 The elected national deputy for the city of Goma Hubert FURUGUTA said he was warning of a probable preparation for infiltration of the city of Goma by the rebels. According to the honorable Hubert, information from the authorized services indicates that these rebels are preparing to infiltrate among the demonstrators of an activity planned in Goma without mentioning it by name. This elected official added that this demonstration would begin in the area close to the border with Rwanda in order to facilitate said infiltration. He says he calls on the population to exercise extreme caution in this time of war, especially when it comes to participating in demonstrations.