celeron40:
Damn...These AMISOM troops pack a punch..M4 rifles, AGLs, Comms equipment and MRAPS..Nice..If only Nigerian Army platoons were this equipped.

Which we also have, plus more. No derailing, please.

ArtanK:


I'm ecstatic!

It's not just another Al-shabab stronghold, it's their headquarters. As of now, they have no control over any major towns.

It's an important victory for all of us, with far reaching consequences. Mopping up operations are currently on-going.

They are only holding villages and rural areas.

I'm guessing you're a somali national?

ArtanK:
Famous for its whitewashed buildings, Barawa is one of the oldest Somali towns.

It's a beautiful town. The same architectural style like mombasa, i think.

ArtanK:


Apart from Bu'ale and Bardera, the rest are tiny villages. The locals in those villages would kick Alshaytan out themselves if they had the means to do it.

AMISOM need equipment but they don't need anymore troops, they need to train the Somali soldiers scattered around in the south central regions. Remember AMISOM are leaving Somalia in less than 2 years time therefore thé SNA needs to be empowered and strengthened so when they leave, those regions don't fall back into Alshabab hands again.

Yes,the are small town still with shabaab.

My conclusion on the need for more troops,was influenced by the fact that AMISON will have to commit the same troops used for this operation to capture Barawe to push shabaad out of smaller villages and towns.

This leaves a security vacuum in captured territory,which the ill trained SNA I doubt can fill.

AMISON mission might be extended i suspect.

Barawe Capture.

Henry120:


It's a beautiful town. The same architectural style like mombasa, i think.

You'd expect land(towns,villages etc) held by shabaab to be in poor condition.

Henry120:


And without firing a shot. The enemy simply disappeared. It's a very important and strategic victory for the A.U and the Somali national army.

Yup.

http://www.enca.com/africa/east-africa/au-somali-troops-reclaim-barawe

B

C

Henry120:


It's an important victory for all of us, with far reaching consequences. Mopping up operations is currently on-going.

They are only holding villages and rural areas.

I'm guessing you're a somali national?

Today is indeed an important day. The Somali gov needs show strength and quickly install the city council and police so the town's security is not completely reliant on AMISOM and SNA who are probably going southwards after the Alshaytan remnants.

I'm Somali but I was born and bred in Germany. I'm still very much connected to the motherland though.

Henry120:

It's a beautiful town. The same architectural style like mombasa, i think.

Same architectural style as the old Hamarwein district in Mogadishu and Merca as well. The Omani Sultan rebuilt these cities after the Ajuuraan empire fell.

MikeZA:
Yes,the are small town still with shabaab.
My conclusion on the need for more troops,was influenced by the fact that AMISON will have to commit the same troops used for this operation to capture Barawe to push shabaad out of smaller villages and towns.
This leaves a security vacuum in captured territory,which the ill trained SNA I doubt can fill.
AMISON mission might be extended i suspect.

The only Somali soldiers available to the Somali government are some newly recruited troops from the southern regions. I'd suggest the Somali region in Ethiopia (under the banner of Ethiopian troops) Puntland and Somaliland in the north to get involved. If they sent their foreign-trained troops, that would ease the burden on the AMISOM. Djibouti have already sent their troops and they've fully liberated Hiiraan. I think Somalis across the horn should follow their example and help fully exterminate the terrorists once and for all.

Henry120:
B

Oh god that first picture looks amazing

Barawe capture

MikeZA:


AMISON mission might be extended i suspect.

Surely it would. The A.U cannot risk eroding the massive gains made. The Ugandans deserve a massive commendation for the successes which have been recorded. They duly deserve it.

Henry120:


Surely it would. The A.U cannot risk eroding the massive gains made. The Ugandans deserve a massive commendation for the successes which have been recorded. They duly deserve it.

Agreed.

The Kenyans too. People reported seeing their jets today too.

ArtanK:


Today is indeed an important day. The Somali gov needs show strength and quickly install the city council and police so the town's security is not completely reliant on AMISOM and SNA who are probably going southwards after the Alshaytan remnants.

I'm Somali but I was born and bred in Germany. I'm still very much connected to the motherland though.

I do believe the somali national police would be up to the task at this point. The force is currently been rebuilt and doesn't have the requisite manpower to cover multiple cities, especially a city like Barawe with no national government presence in the last 6 years.

More SNA and AMISOM presence would be more practical in my opinion. Also a couple FPU from Mogadishu.

In the end, somalia can only be rebuilt by the somali people, not Amisom, the A.U or the U.N.

ArtanK:
Famous for its whitewashed buildings, Barawa is one of the oldest Somali towns.

In comparison to Lamu,Kenya which is on the same coast line and an old city just like Barawa..... Lamu Cultural festival alone ( A four day Event, which celebrates the local tradition of the archipelago that dates back over 700 years ago by traditional dancing, dhow racing, donkey racing, theatre performances and a food bazaar. )- attracts 20,000 foreign and 10,000 domestic(east african) tourists, who bring a revenue that runs into tens of millions of dollars. Not to mention the top luxury tourists that visit throughout the year since lamu is always summer- Athough this did not happen this year because of stupid Alshabaab!
My Point is, If only Somalia was stable


pics..Lamu

ArtanK:


Oh god that first picture looks amazing

Yeah, it does.

However, from this thread's POV, the Ugandan Special forces soldier with the cool looking M4A1 looks better.

Although in my opinion, his finger shouldn't be on the trigger.

MikeZA:
Agreed.

The Kenyans too. People reported seeing their jets today too.

Yeah, i agree. The kenyans capturing of kismayo was also very strategic. Pity not a lot of KDF photos from somalia are currently released.

Henry120:


Yeah, i agree. The kenyans capturing of kismayo was also very strategic. Pity not a lot of KDF photos from somalia are currently released.

LOL the Kenyans are camera shy.

I'll try some.

MikeZA:
LOL the Kenyans are camera shy.

I'll try some.

LOL............" isn't this the major flaw of many african militaries?".

The Ugandans always have news reporters and photo-journalists with them on each of their ops. I know Aljazeera crew are always with them.

This is the way to conduct operations. Your narrative, just like the french in mali.

Henry120:


I do believe the somali national police would be up to the task at this point. The force is currently been rebuilt and doesn't have the requisite manpower to cover multiple cities, especially a city like Barawe with no national government presence in the last 6 years.

More SNA and AMISOM presence would be more practical in my opinion. Also a couple FPU from Mogadishu.

In the end, somalia can only be rebuilt by the somali people, not Amisom, the A.U or the U.N.

That's why I suggested that if there are going to be any reinforcements deployed in Lower Shabelle, that they should be Somali troops from all four corners of the horn.
At the end of the day AMISOM won't be there in two years time, therefore we should already prepare to take over from them.

MikeZA:
LOL the Kenyans are camera shy.

I'll try some.

Running towards the capture of Kismayu by KDF, Pictures were available like every major mission or capture. KDF used social media to describe thier progress like every step they took. part of the war was even being fought on twitter. but since the Westgate attack- KDF whent media silence. But anyway, Kismayu town is relatively more peaceful than any other down in Somalia (I stand corrected)- so i guess they are doing thier job right.
But hope they will start postings pics once again. News Just came in today, An operation in Bula Gadud town that coincided with the Ugandan Forces taking of Barawe http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000137303&story_title=Kenya-kenya-defence-forces-kill-22-al-shabaab-fighters

denisfidha:



In comparison to Lamu,Kenya which is on the same coast line and an old city just like Barawa..... Lamu Cultural festival alone ( A four day Event, which celebrates the local tradition of the archipelago that dates back over 700 years ago by traditional dancing, dhow racing, donkey racing, theatre performances and a food bazaar. )- attracts 20,000 foreign and 10,000 domestic(east african) tourists, who bring a revenue that runs into tens of millions of dollars. Not to mention the top luxury tourists that visit throughout the year since lamu is always summer- Athough this did not happen this year because of stupid Alshabaab!
My Point is, If only Somalia was stable


pics..Lamu

Yeah plenty of people have told me about Lamu. I was in Garissa county a few years ago and I regret not going to Lamu considering how close it is.

Hopefully the indigenous Barawani community will return now that Alshabab are out of their city. Barawa was a safe haven for all the minorities in Somalia during the civil war.

Henry120:


LOL............" isn't this the major flaw of many african militaries?".

The Ugandans always have news reporters and photo-journalists with them on each of their ops. I know Aljazeera crew are always with them.

This is the way to conduct operations. Your narrative, just like the french in mali.

We've seen improvements in recent years though.

Our armies are still struggling on where to draw line for journalists,and keep up with social media.

In many many many many times you find military spokespersons having to deny information already confirmed by journalist on the ground and reported on social media,cause they weren't "authorised". "The flow of information".

Another look at uganda's M4 with the special forces

denisfidha:


Running towards the capture of Kismayu by KDF, Pictures were available like every major mission or capture. KDF used social media to describe thier progress like every step they took. part of the war was even being fought on twitter. but since the Westgate attack- KDF whent media silence. But anyway, Kismayu town is relatively more peaceful than any other down in Somalia (I stand corrected)- so i guess they are doing thier job right.
But hope they will start postings pics once again. News Just came in today, An operation in Bula Gadud town that coincided with the Ugandan Forces taking of Barawe http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000137303&story_title=Kenya-kenya-defence-forces-kill-22-al-shabaab-fighters

I heard some of them invaded via the ocean,not much is reported about the KDF operation which is said to include jets.

Regarding the media.

In simplified term can be explained like: The taps of information in most African armies are carefully operated by the high command.

The flow of information is still limited to "independent sources",unlike how UPDF is allowing eNCA,Al jazeera and others to report on the current ops.

denisfidha:
Another look at uganda's M4 with the special forces

Are these the "operators" or just members of the special forces units.

I was surprised when they allowed journalists to travel with them to the outskirts of Barawe.

Also why do they pose for pics?

Henry120:


Yeah, it does.

However, from this thread's POV, the Ugandan Special forces soldier with the cool looking M4A1 looks better.

Although in my opinion, his finger shouldn't be on the trigger.

LOL!!

MikeZA:
I concur.

The next war to include them against a navy with diesel subs such as Turkey,Brazil,Sweden and South Korea will show just,how difficult it is to protect A.Cs.

Yeah very true hey, maybe that's why many Major players like Russia and China don't invest a lot on A.Cs. Lol but you know even with all those weaknesses I still wish S.A had a Couple of Aircraft Carriers though (.___.)

Centrifude:


Man that thing is a beast I've seen a picture of them loading a C-130 into it.

no kidding! Wish we could get a pics of the beast with an antonov or ilyushin

jteku:

Angola is at its peak, their is money to spend unnecessarilly on what they don't need.
Cos I see no reason why they need Aircraft carrier,
Are they going to cruise it to the gulf of guinea and invade Nigeria or what,
May be it will never live the angola shores

lol every single rag tag navy in Africa is planning on invading the oil gulf.

jteku:

Angola is at its peak, their is money to spend unnecessarilly on what they don't need.
Cos I see no reason why they need Aircraft carrier,
Are they going to cruise it to the gulf of guinea and invade Nigeria or what,
May be it will never live the angola shores

Lol hahahaha Aircraft Carriers bring Class and they make you look stronger then you really are, well I say if you can afford it buy it, like why does Italy need an A.C they have no major external threats.

But Honestly in Africa I think A.C would be perfect if there were to be operated by a group like the A.U or better yet the Regional groups, Imagine how easy it would've been for UMA,IGAD, ECOWAS,SADC etc.. To intervene in High Conflict Areas if they had two or three A.Cs