Islamic Courts Union

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Midowga Maxkamadaha Islaamiga اتحاد المحاكم الإسلامية Ittihād al-mahākim al-islāmiyya Supreme Islamic Courts Council
Motto: There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God
Capital (and largest city)		Mogadishu
Official languages		Somali and Arabic
Government		Sharia krytocracy
-	Shura Chairman	Hassan Dahir Aweys
-	Executive Chairman	Sheikh Sharif Ahmed
Counter-Government		Sought to establish unified Somali government
-	Established	June 6, 2006
-	Dissolved	December 27, 2006
Currency		Somali shilling (SOS)
Time zone		EAT (UTC+3)
-	Summer (DST)	not observed (UTC+3)
Internet TLD		.so
Calling code		+252 (Somalia)

The Islamic Courts Union (ICU, Somali: Midowga Maxkamadaha Islaamiga, Arabic: اتحاد المحاكم الإسلامية Ittihād al-mahākim al-islāmiyya) was a group of Sharia Courts who united themselves to form a rival administration to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, with Sharif Sheikh Ahmed as head of the ICU. They are also known as the Joint Islamic Courts, Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), Supreme Islamic Courts Council (SICC)^[1] or the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts (SCIC)^[2] and Western media often refer to the group as the Somali Islamists.

Until the end of 2006, they controlled most of southern Somalia and the vast majority of its population, including most major cities such as Jowhar, Kismayo, Beledweyne, and the capital Mogadishu. The ICU was supported by warlord Yusuf "Indho Ade" Mohamed Siad who ruled Lower Shabelle but later became defense chief of the ICU, who aided in the defeat of the Mogadishu warlords.^[3] Only the Northern regions (Puntland, Somaliland), and the furthest interior regions of the south were outside their control. In December 2006, the ICU lost much territory after defeats at the battles of Baidoa, Bandiradley, and Beledweyne, retreating to the capital, Mogadishu. On December 28 they abandoned Mogadishu, leaving the city in chaos while they moved south towards Kismayo, which allowed the TFG and Ethiopian troops to take over the city. After a stand at the Battle of Jilib, the ICU abandoned the city of Kismayo on January 1, 2007. Stripped of almost all their territory, it is speculated the ICU will pursue guerrilla-style warfare against the government.^[4]

Contents 1 History 1.1 Before the second battle of Mogadishu 1.2 Eritrean assistance 1.2.1 Other Foreign fighters 1.3 After conquering Mogadishu 1.4 War with Ethiopia 1.5 Resignation of leadership 1.6 Pursuit of the ICU 1.7 Islamist insurgency 2 Structure and composition 2.1 Background 2.2 Hizbul Shabaab 2.3 Relationship to other Somali powers 2.4 Individual Islamic Courts 2.5 Suicide bombers 2.6 Noted ICU leaders 3 Social policies 4 "Greater Somalia" 5 Alleged military support to the ICU 6 Alleged recruitment of Kenyan Muslims 7 Notes and references 8 See also 9 External links

[edit] History

Main article: Rise of the Islamic Courts Union (2006)

[edit] Before the second battle of Mogadishu

See also: Anarchy in Somalia

After the collapse of the Somali government in 1991, a system of sharia-based Islamic courts became the main judicial system, funded through fees paid by litigants. Over time the courts began to offer other services such as education and health care. The courts also acted as local police forces, being paid by local businesses to reduce crime. The Islamic courts took on the responsibility for halting robberies and drug-dealing, as well as stopping the showing of what it claims to be pornographic films in local movie houses. Somalia is almost entirely Muslim, and these institutions initially had wide public support. The early years of the courts include such outfits as Sheikh Ali Dheere's, established in north Mogadishu in 1994 and the Beled Weyene court initiated in 1996. They soon saw the sense in working together through a joint committee to promote security. This move was initiated by four of the courts - Ifka Halan, Circolo, Warshadda and Hararyaale - who formed a committee to co-ordinate their affairs, to exchange criminals from different clans and to integrate security forces. In 1999 the group began to assert its authority. Supporters of the Islamic courts and other institutions united to form the ICU, an armed militia. In April of that year they took control of the main market in Mogadishu and, in July, captured the road from Mogadishu to Afgoi.^[5] Their system of government, controlled by judges, is known as a krytocracy.

[edit] Eritrean assistance

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According to the United Nations and various sources, the Eritrean government started to arm and finance ICU for many years.^[6] Along with Ethiopian rebels like OLF, according to a BBC 1999 report, Eritrea sent "shiploads" of arms to the ICU and other rebels in Southern Somalia. It is also reported that the Eritrean government sent "Eritrean advisers" and "engineers and mine-laying experts."^[7] After many denials from the Eritrean side, the deadlock ended when the Islamic Courts Union leader Aweys admitted that the Eritrean government has been assisting ICU^[6] although no mention of troops or advisers was made. After the Somali transitional government defeated the Islamists and took Mogadishu, the Somali Prime Minister alleged Eritrean soldiers were captured in Mogadishu.^[8] Additional Eritrean fighters were allegedly killed by Somali security officers in June 2007.^[9] A governor of one of Somalia's southern districts further confirmed the continued alliance of Eritrean fighters^{[dubious – discuss]} with Al-Qaeda & ICU militants.^[10]

According to Los Angeles Times, various ICU fighters were caught before they tried to escape to Eritrea. Many of the ICU leadership and jihadist leaders are believed to have found refuge in Eritrea.

[edit] Other Foreign fighters

Various foreign fighters were said to be helping the ICU. Particularly since suicide bombing tactics are not common even among extremist Somali muslims, the rise of self-sacrificing bombers indicated deeper foreign jihadist assistance.^{[citation needed]} In January, Somalia said they defeated as well as arrested many Arab fighters.^[11] Also in June, many foreign pro-ICU fighters were trying to run away by boats when they were detected in the Puntland region. The governor of the region told the media that the Islamist fighters arrived to cause trouble and assured that the Puntland troops were searching for them.^[12] The U.S. military also targeted more jihadist and Al-Queda cells, particularly the bombers of U.S. embassy in Kenya.^[13] According to BBC, the Pentagon said a high level Al-Qaeda member from the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) was captured in Somalia and transferred to the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay.^[14][15]

[edit] After conquering Mogadishu

Main articles: Second Battle of Mogadishu and Rise of the Islamic Courts Union (2006)

In the year 2000, the courts formed a union of Islamic courts, partly to consolidate resources and power and partly to aid in handing down decisions across, rather than within, clan lines.^[16] Yet the ICU remained firmly established in the Hawiye clan.^[17]

As the courts began to assert themselves as the dispensers of justice they came into conflict with the secular warlords who controlled most of the city. In reaction to the growing power of the ICU, a group of Mogadishu warlords formed the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT). This was a major change, as these warlords had been fighting each other for many years. By the beginning of 2006, these two groups had clashed repeatedly, and in May 2006 it escalated into street fighting in the capital, claiming the lives of more than 300 people. On 5 June 2006, the ICU claimed that they were in control of Mogadishu.^[18]

Meanwhile, in the United States the Bush administration neither confirmed nor denied support for either side. However, it was reported that American officials had anonymously confirmed that the U.S. government was funding the ARPCT, due to concerns that the ICU is linked to al-Qaeda and is sheltering three al-Qaeda leaders involved in past terror attacks, including the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.^[19]

On 6 June 2006 the ICU further claimed it was in control of all the lands up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) inland from Mogadishu. The warlords were reported to have either been captured or to have fled the city, abandoning most of their weapons, with the majority fleeing to Jowhar, which was taken by the ICU militia on 14 June.^[20] This brought the ICU in control of much of the weaponry in the country, which made a resurgence by the warlords difficult without outside support. The ICU also controlled significant territory outside the capital, including the important town of Balad. In mid-August, ICU militiamen swept into the port town of Hobyo, 500 kilometers north of Mogadishu, meeting no opposition.^[21] The ICU organized a clean-up campaign for the streets of Mogadishu on 20 July. This was the first time litter and rubbish had been collected in the entire city since it collapsed into chaos over a decade earlier.^[22]

On July 15, 2006, the Islamic Courts reopened Mogadishu international airport, which had been closed since the withdrawal of the international forces in 1995. The first airplane chartered by the Arab League flew from the airport for the first time in 11 years picking up Islamic Courts delegates to the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.^[23]

On August 15, 2006, the ICU captured Haradhere, some 500km northeast of Mogadishu, which had become a safe haven for pirates, who had forced shipping firms and international organisations to pay large ransoms for the release of vessels and crews.^[24]

On August 25, 2006 the Islamic Courts reopened the historic Mogadishu seaport, which had been one of the busiest in East Africa but had been shut down for the prior 10 years.^[25]

On October 5, 2006 the Islamic Courts declared the formation of the supreme Islamic Sharia court of Banadir province, ending all tribal Islamic Courts in the capital.^[26]

[edit] War with Ethiopia

Main article: War in Somalia (2006–present)

On December 8, 2006, the Islamic Courts Union claimed to have been involved in heavy fighting with Somali transitional government forces, backed by Ethiopian troops. On December 21, heavy fighting erupted between ICU forces and Ethiopian-backed forces. The battles happened initially in two areas - the military base of Daynuunay and the military base of Iidale.

The ICU made calls for jihad against Ethiopia,^[27] which were met by international mujahideen volunteers arriving in Somalia.

The ICU lost a considerable amount of territory after defeats at the December 20 - 26 battles of Baidoa, Bay region, Bandiradley, in Mudug, and Beledweyne, Hiran region, retreating to the capital, Mogadishu.

[edit] Resignation of leadership

Main article: Fall of Mogadishu

On December 27, 2006, after a brief skirmish earlier in the day at the Battle of Jowhar, the leaders of the ICU, including Sheiks Hassan Dahir Aweys, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Abdirahman Janaqow resigned in a capitulation recognizing the new state of affairs in Somalia. They issued the following decisions:

1. It is national duty to protect the sovereignty and the integrity of Somalia and its people.
2. The ICU allows that Somalis should have the option to determine their future and would be ready for taking over the responsibility.
3. The Islamic Courts Union agreed not to allow anyone to create violence in Mogadishu and anybody that is found guilty would be brought before the law and would be taken for the suitable punishment according to the Islamic Sharia.
4. The ICU fighters are responsible for establishing the security and stability in the Somalian capital Mogadishu.
5. Lastly, the ICU is calling on all the Islamic fighters in Somalia, where ever they may be, to maintain security and stability in their localities and get ready in the police stations and other security installations.^[28]

On December 28, the ICU withdrew from the capital. Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamad Gedi stated the legislature would shortly declare a period of martial law.

[edit] Pursuit of the ICU

Main articles: Battle of Jilib, Fall of Kismayo, and Battle of Ras Kamboni

After abandoning control of Mogadishu, leaders from the ICU proceeded to fortify the Jubba River valley area including the towns of Jilib and Kismayo. Days later, on December 31 Ethiopian and Somali forces attacked Jilib, after which the Islamists abandoned Kismayo.

In January 2007, as the ICU retreated, its leaders vowed to wage guerrilla war. They were pursued to Ras Kamboni, where they were militarily engaged by Ethiopian and Somali TFG forces. Kenyan and US forces enforced a border patrol and naval blockade, followed by US airstrikes against suspected Al Qaeda members embedded within the ICU militias.^[29]

On January 10, a report by Somali presidential chief of staff, Abdirizak Hassan stated the US airstrikes had killed Al Qaeda member Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, and leaders of the Islamic Courts Union including Abduallahi Moalim Ali (former chief of security for Mogadishu), Abdirahman Janaqow, and a third unidentified person. The bodies had reportedly been recovered by Ethiopian military personnel.^[30] Fazul Abdullah Mohammed was later confirmed by US forces to have survived the US air raid on 8 January 2007.

[edit] Islamist insurgency

Main articles: Islamist insurgency in Somalia (2007–present) and Popular Resistance Movement in the Land of the Two Migrations

After their fall from power, many Islamist militiamen went into hiding. Many attacks were carried out against Ethiopian and TFG troops, and the group was reformed as the Popular Resistance Movement in the Land of the Two Migrations (PRM).

[edit] Structure and composition

[edit] Background

Current Event: The ICU has undergone dramatic and rapid changes. Given their loss of control over Mogadishu and much of the rest of the country, this section may refer to the organization in the past tense. This reflects how the courts were run prior to their retreat from Mogadishu. However, the ICU is still an existing organization. The status of their leaders and their present organization may be subject to change and speculation.

The ICU is a union of Sharia law courts. These courts formed out of the chaos of the 1990s to administer justice in the districts in which they were established. Due to the chaos in Somalia, each court maintained a large militia to act as both police force and military. In February 2006, 11 of these courts chose to pool their military resources in order to take over Mogadishu. (See Second Battle of Mogadishu)

Each member of the ICU is a Sharia judge in charge of a specified court in a particular district of Somalia, and it is up to him to determine how Sharia law is enforced. These interpretations can either be very literal or very broad, with various Hadiths being either regarded or disregarded, and correspondingly has led to varying levels of liberty and repression. Some courts do not enforce beyond what the Quran requires; others have beaten people for watching bollywood and western movies or playing "licentious" music. One famous allegation that was cited numerous times, yet was denied by the ICU, was that there was a ban on the viewing of football (soccer) matches.^[31]

In order to organize the courts into a more coherent organization, rather than a like-minded collection of independent judges, a "Supreme Islamic Court of Banadir" was created, with the most senior judges forming this high court. This court dealt with wide issues, as well as foreign relations, and commanded the ICU military forces as a whole. The chairman of the Supreme Islamic Court is Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. A consultative Shura council chaired by Sheikh Hassan Aweys approved the decisions made by the Supreme Islamic Court, and therefore was called the "real power" in the ICU, though the Shura could not act unilaterally. In simplistic terms, this made Ahmed the "President" of the ICU and Aweys the "Prime Minister". When Ahmed was otherwise indisposed (visiting a foreign country, ill, etc.) Sheikh Abdirahman Janaqow was the Acting Chairman.

Below the Supreme Council and Shura Council are the regional courts spread throughout the country, which govern over the day to day issues of justice and law. These courts have enormous independence, and so the laws and regulations in ICU territory can vary wildly from town to town based on the particular moderation or radicalism of the local court.

ICU Chairman Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is seen as a moderate and repeatedly declared the objective of the ICU was the restoration of order after 15 years of violence. However, of the eleven courts composing the Union, two had reputations as radical. One was led by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, who is on the U.S. list of terrorism suspects as the former head of the al-Itihaad al-Islamiya (AIAI) group. Western diplomats are also concerned by a second leader, Adan Hashi Ayro, who was trained in Afghanistan and whose militia has been implicated in the deaths of five foreign aid workers and a BBC producer. Suspects from the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings are believed to be hiding in Somalia, and to be aided by the ICU [1][2]. There were also been reports of foreign mujahideen fighting alongside the ICU. In response, the U.S. provided funding for the secular warlord alliance due to these fears. However, Somalia has little history of radical Islam and the ICU had not embraced the most extreme forms of Islamic law, such as amputation of thieves' hands.^[5]

[edit] Hizbul Shabaab

The Hizbul Shabaab, also known as Al-Shabaab, or simply as "Shabaab", is the Youth Wing of the ICU. It is a radical and somewhat independent organization under the ICU umbrella which is integrated quite tightly with the ICU armed forces, acting as a sort of "special forces" for the ICU.

The Shabab has caused difficulties for the ICU in maintaining a good international image on a number of occasions due to their hot-headedness and zealousness, such as abducting critical journalists, harassing overly-hip youngsters, and most infamously, murdering wounded JVA soldiers in a Bu'aale hospital.^[32]

The ICU formally apologized for each of the incidents, and attempted to make it clear that these actions did not reflect ICU policy. Nevertheless, these incidents gave their opponents excellent propaganda ammunition, and aided the global perception of the ICU being like the Taliban.

[edit] Relationship to other Somali powers

The major powers in Somalia included the Transitional Federal Government, the Juba Valley Alliance (JVA) in the south, plus the autonomous Puntland in the northeast and self-declared independent Somaliland in the northwest. In the midst of the conflict, Galmudug was formed in direct response to stem the rise of the ICU. The ICU was opposed by all the other factions, except for Somaliland, which remained generally neutral throughout the conflict.

As a result of the collapse of the warlords' power, the four warlord representatives in the transitional government were stripped of their cabinet posts. The transitional government is based in Baidoa, 250 kilometers from Mogadishu. After the ICU victory in Mogadishu, the transitional government voted to request foreign peacekeepers from the African Union in a mission known as IGASOM. The African Union supports the transitional government, though it did not provide forces to defend it against the advances of the ICU. The ICU rejected the need for peacekeepers, arguing Somalia needs aid, not more external troops. The Interim Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi stated he wished to meet with the ICU leaders.^[33] This resulted in the Treaty of Khartoum of 5 September 2006, in which it was agreed the ICU and the Transitional Government would be merged; however, the ICU insisted on the precondition Ethiopian troops would leave the country beforehand. Ethiopian forces did not withdraw, and the treaty agreement fell apart.

The JVA was overrun in the south, and Kismayo was taken. The remaining JVA forces aligned themselves immediately with the TFG. In December 2006—January 2007, as part of the TFG's army, they retook the lost territory of the south.

In November 2006 the Islamic Courts said Puntland's forces had carried out a pre-emptive strike against their fighters who were gathering on the edge of Puntland near Galinsoor.^[34] The government of Puntland has vowed to resist any attack by the Islamic Courts.^[35] Later, Puntland entered into combat with the ICU at the Battle of Bandiradley, which expelled the ICU from the central interior.

[edit] Individual Islamic Courts

Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.

Court Name - Location	Clan Representation	Judge	Ideology
Court of Banadir for Returning Forcefully Taken Fixed Assets	Various	11 judges chaired by Dr. Omar Abdalla Ali	Various
Court for Verdict in Banadir	Various	12 judges chaired by Abdirahman Hassan Omar	Various
Court of Banadir Province	Various	12 judges chaired by Dr. Hussein Abdi Elmi	Various
Ifka Halan - Mogadishu, Banadir	Ayanle, Ayr, Habr Gidir, Hawiye	Hassan Dahir 'Aweys'	Salafi
Huruwa - Mogadishu, Banadir	Abiyse, Ayr, Habr Gidir, Hawiye	?	?
Suuq Xoolaha - Mogadishu, Banadir	Ayr, Habr Gidir, Hawiye	?	?
Karan - Mogadishu, Banadir	Daud Wabuudaan, Abgal, Mudulod, Hawiye	?	?
Medina - Mogadishu, Banadir	Daud Wabuudaan, Abgal, Mudulod, Hawiye	?	?
Towfiq - Mogadishu, Banadir	Waesle, Abgal, Mudulod, Hawiye	?	?
SiiSii - Mogadishu, Banadir	Harti, Abgal, Mudulod, Hawiye	Sharif Sheikh Ahmad	Qutubi
Harariyale - Mogadishu, Banadir	Murosade, Hawiye	?	?
Dabaqayn - Mogadishu, Banadir	Duduble, Hawiye	?	Salafi
Polytechnic - Mogadishu, Banadir	Reer Shabelle (Non-Somali Minority)	?	?
Gubta - Mogadishu, Banadir	?	Abdalla Ali	Salafi
Yaqshid - Mogadishu, Banadir	Harti Abgal, Mudulod, Hawiye	?	?
Tabuuk - Mogadishu, Banadir	Baadi Cadde, Hawiye	?	?
Al-Hudaa - Mogadishu, Banadir	Shiikhaal (Non-Somali Minority)	?	?
Milk Factory - Mogadishu, Banadir	Duduble, Hawiye	?	?
Al Bayaan - Mogadishu, Banadir	Rahanweyn, Mirifle, Digil-Mirifle	Mohamed Ibrahim Bilal	?
Al-Furqan - Mogadishu, Banadir	Sacad, Habir Gidir, Hawiye	Mohamud Mohamed Jimale Warsame 'Agaweyne'	?
Daynile - Mogadishu, Banadir	Murusade, Hawiye	Hussein Janaqow	?
Shiirkoole (Circolo) - Mogadishu, Banadir	Saleebaan, Habir Gidir, Hawiye	Abdilkadir Ali Omar	Salafi
? - Marka, Lower Shabelle	Ayr, Habar Gidir, Hawiye	Yusuf Mohamed Siyaad 'Indha Adde'	?
Al-Cadaala - Laascanood, Sool	Dhulbahante, Harti, Kablalah, Darod	Shiikh Axmed Cabdulaahi Shanle	?
? - Balad, Upper Shabelle	Wabudhan, Abgal, Mudulod, Hawiye	Sheikh Yusuf Turhume	?
? - Wanlaweyn, Lower Shabelle	Geledi, Digil, Digil-Mirifle	Mahad Mohammed	Liberal
? - Beletweyne, Hiraan	Hawadle, Hawiye	Farah Moallim Mohamud	? (Qutubi?)
? - Beletweyne, Hiraan	Galjel, Hawiye	?	?
? - Adado, Galgadud	Saleeban, Habr Gedir, Hawiye	?	?
Alfaruq - Jalalaqsi, Hiraan	Udejeen, Mudulod, Hawiye	Mohammed Rashid Ibrahim	? (Banned smoking,)
? - Afmadow, Lower Juba	Ogaden, Kablalah, Darod	?	?
? - Jilib, Middle Juba	Biyomal, Dir	Mohamed Omar Mursal	?
? - Barawe, Lower Shabelle	Biyomal, Dir	?	?
? - Jawil, Hiraan	Udejeen, Mudulod, Hawiye	?	?
? - Buulo Barde, Hiraan	Hawadle, Hawiye	Hussein Barre Rage	Salafi
? - Bur Hakaba, Bay	Rahanweyn, Mirifle, Digil-Mirifle	Mustafa Ali Mohammed	?
? - Bardhere, Gedo	Marehan, Sade, Darod	?	?
? - South Galcayo, Mudug (Galmudug)	Sacad, Habar Gidir, Hawiye	Abdullahi Siad Qeyre	?
? - North Galcayo, Mudug (Puntland)	Majerten, Harti, Kablalah, Darod	Ahmed Yusuf	?
? - Kismayo, Lower Jubba	Ogaden, Kablalah, Darod	Hassan Turki	Salafi
Imamu Shafici - Abudwaq, Galgadud	Marehan, Sade, Darod	Ali Bashir	?

[edit] Suicide bombers

While the Transitional Somali government was still in Baidoa, various suicide attacks were targeted against the ministers by the ICU. After the defeat of the Islamic Courts Union, some suicide bombers were mixed with the insurgency against the Somali government forces and AU forces. In early May 2007, an ICU suicide bomber was caught by the African Union forces stationed at the Mogadishu seaport.^[36] Another suicide bomber of the Islamic Courts Union also made a Martyr video tape adopting Al-Qaeda's tactics.^{[37] [38]}The video showed a man praying from the Koran before bombing himself, exploding near Ethiopian troops and Somali government forces.^[39] Another suicide bomber striked the Somali PM's house killing around 5 people and wounding many in June, 2007.^[40] The Prime Minister was not harmed. In a sign of worsening conditions, a Somali Islamic leaders said "jihad is all we need. There is no political process we can be involved in unless we get a government practicing Sharia. Our aim is to liberate our country from the Christian invaders and those who assist them, and I assure you that the holy war against them will not stop until the Islamic flag is raised." ^[41]

[edit] Noted ICU leaders

• Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys is the head of the shura council of the ICU. Aweys is former leader of al-Itihaad al-Islamiya (AIAI). Since November 2001, he has been named under Executive Order 13224 as a supporter of terrorist activities.

• Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is the leader of the ICU. Ahmed was born in Chabila, Somalia and studied at Libyan and Sudanese universities. He is from the Abgaal branch of the Hawiye clan. He has also worked as a secondary school teacher of geography, Arabic, and religious studies. He speaks Arabic, Somali, and English.

• Sheikh Hasan Hersi "Al-Turki" is formerly leader of Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya (AIAI); he goes by the name of "Al-Turki" or "The Turk". Since 2004, Hassan Al-Turki has been designated under US Presidential Executive Order 13224 for terrorist financing.^[42]

• Sheikh Yusuf Siad Inda'ade (or Inda Ade) served as deputy and financier for Hasan Dahir Aweys. He had been the chief of security of the Islamic Courts.^[27] He is controversial for the fact that he was a former warlord who occupied Lower Shabeele in 2003. He later allied himself with the Islamic Courts. The Islamic Courts advanced to central and south Somalia regions, including the Kismayo area, before Inda'ade pledged his support, giving them control of Lower Shabelle region.^[43] In December 2006, during the intense fighting with Ethiopia, he was not present and was on pilgrimage in Mecca.

• Sheikh Mukhtar Robow who goes by the name of "Abu Mansur", was the deputy chief of security for the Islamic Courts. He had been credited with being instrumental in the victory of the Second Battle of Mogadishu against the ARPCT (CIA-backed warlords). In December 2006, during the intense fighting with Ethiopia, he was not present and was in pilgrimage in Mecca. He was trained in Afghanistan and was recently named a commander for the Al-Shabab.^[44]

• Professor Ibrahim Hassan Addow (M.Ed, Ph.D) was the head of foreign affairs department for the ICU. He lived in the United States and worked as an administrator at American University in Washington, D.C., before returning to Somalia in 1999. He is the dean of Benadir University in Mogadishu and had respresented the Islamic courts in its negotiations with the Somali transitional government.^[45]

• Sheikh Fuad Mohamed Qalaf was the head of the department of youth and education in the ICU. He lived in Sweden for ten years and was an imam at a mosque in Stockholm before returning to Somalia in 2006.^[46]

[edit] Social policies

The Islamic Courts' original mission was to bring social justice and combat iniquity. However, after capturing Mogadishu, its mission transformed into imposing Sharia law all over Somalia and changing the constitution.

In the year 2000, the courts formed a union of Islamic courts, partly to consolidate resources and power and partly to aid in handing down decisions across, rather than within, clan lines.^[16]

In an interview featured in the BBC Online Somali section in June 2006, Sheik Sharif Shaykh Ahmed said "the union of Islamic courts was established to ensure that Somali people suffering for 15 years would gain peace and full justice and freedom from the anarchic rule of warlords who refuted their people to no direction." After capturing Mogadishu, the Islamic Courts had enacted a series of decrees and laws that had temporarily brought hope for Somali expatriates, local minorities and women.

• On October 5, 2006 the Islamic Courts had declared the formation of the supreme Islamic Sharia court of Banadir province. The announcement ceremony was attended by all Islamic officials; both consultative and executive councils, intellectuals and civil society members and took place in the former Somalian presidential palace in central Mogadishu. That announcement from the central Islamic Court was destined to end all tribal Islamic Courts in the capital.^[26]

• On November 17, 2006, the ICU had banned the use, sale and transportation of khat altogether and the Islamic Court of Kismayo banned the sale of cigarettes. This was a controversial move as it was the main source of income for many war widows and orphans and a huge import-export business.

• Took control of Somali waters under their control and indigenously ended Piracy during their 6 month Reign^[47]

[edit] "Greater Somalia"

The Islamic Courts Union (ICU) supported the idea of annexing territories controlled by Kenya and Ethiopia. The leader of the ICU, Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, said the land of ethnic Somalis living in Kenya and Ethiopia should be incorporated with Somalia, the old ideology of "Greater Somalia." He said "We will leave no stone unturned to integrate our Somali brothers in Kenya and Ethiopia." ^[48] Ethiopia and Kenya have historically resisted such Somali attempts before. While most African countries are made up of multi-ethnic societies, Somalia has been a rare exception where one ethnicity makes up almost 100% of the population. The Islamist leader said his group will "gain back the Somali provinces forcefully annexed to Ethiopia and Kenya." ^[49]

[edit] Alleged military support to the ICU

In November 2006, a UN arms monitoring group released information that all groups in Somalia were given logistical support by a dozen countries.^[50] Those countries claimed those allegations. These are the allegations documented by the UN monitoring group:

•  Djibouti: According to that report, the government of Djibouti has provided military uniforms and medicines in support of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). On July 30, 2006, a Djibouti Airlines aircraft landed at an airport in Mogadishu with medicines and military uniforms intended for ICU. The true nature of the cargo was disguised, and it was presented as being from the Red Crescent Society of Djibouti to conceal its origins. After the cargo was unloaded, the aircraft proceeded to Mogadishu's main airport.

•  Egypt: The government has allegedly provided training in support of ICU. On July 26, 2006, a meeting took place in Mogadishu between officials from ICU and visiting Libyan, Egyptian and Eritrean senior military officers at the residence of ICU finance chief Abdulkadir Abukar Omar Adani. According to the report, the meeting resolved that military training be provided to about 3,800 fighters at the Hilweyne military barracks, near Bal'ad town, north of Mogadishu.

•  Eritrea: The Eritrean government "Allegedly" provided at least 28 separate consignments of arms, ammunition and military equipment. It also gave troops and training to the Islamic Courts Union. On April 26, 2006, a shipment of arms destined for ICU consisting of AK-47 assault rifles, PKM machine-guns, RPG-7s and ammunition arrived on a dhow at the seaport of El Ma'an. On May 6, 2006, an Eritrean Antonov military aircraft landed at Dhusamareeb in the Galgaduud region of Somalia. Awaiting the landing were about 75 people, five lorries and two Land Cruisers. The aircraft carried anti-aircraft guns which were loaded onto the lorries. On May 9, 2006, a dhow arrived at the El Ahmed seaport, and on board were fighters from Pakistan and the Oromo Liberation Front of Ethiopia. The fighters remained on the dhow. Five of the 75 people associated with the receipt of the anti-aircraft guns on May 6, 2006, boarded the dhow, along with some of anti-aircraft guns. ICU member Aden Hashi Farah "Eyrow", one of the leaders of the Hizbul Shabaab (youth movement), took possession of the arms and military uniforms. This information was given from The American Government whom have very poor relations with Eritrea. On An interview with the Riz Khan Aljezerra talk show, Eritreas government claimed that these accusations are based on false assumptions

• Hezbollah: The Hezbollah movement has been reported to provide military training to ICU and has made arrangements with other states on behalf of ICU for the latter to receive arms. In mid-July 2006, ICU apparently sent about 720 men to Lebanon to fight alongside Hezbollah against the Israeli military. The Somali force was personally selected by ICU's Hizbul Shabaab (youth movement) leader Aden Hashi Farah "Eyrow." One of the selection criteria was an individual's combat experience, which might include experience in Afghanistan. In exchange for the contribution of the Somali military force, Hezbollah arranged for additional support to be given to ICU by the governments of Iran and Syria.

•  Iran: The UN monitoring group stated that Iran has provided at least three consignments of arms and ammunition and medical supplies and the services of three medical doctors to ICU. On July 25, 2006, an aircraft containing a shipment of arms arrived at the Baledogle airport and was met by ICU head of the security affairs, Sheikh Yusuf Mohamed Siyaad "Indohaadde," and the chairman of the Dayniile Islamic Court, Sheikh Hussein Janaqow. The UN monitoring team says that the arms shipment consisted of machine guns and M79 grenade launchers. On August 17, 2006, a large dhow containing foods and arms destined for ICU arrived in El-Adde seaport, Mogadishu. The arms consisted of 80 man-portable, shoulder-fired, surface-to-air missiles and rocket launchers.

•  Libya: Furthermore, the UN monitoring report states that the Libyan government has sent military aircraft to Somalia and has provided training, funds and at least a consignment of arms in support of ICU. On July 24, 2006, a delegation of military officers arrived at the Baledogle airport and on July 26, 2006, participated in a meeting in Mogadishu with ICU officials and visiting Egyptian and Eritrean senior military officers at the house of ICU finance chief Abdulkadir Abukar Omar Adani. On July 31, 2006, a vessel with arms and foods for ICU docked early in the morning at the seaport of El-Ma'an.

•  Saudi Arabia: Furthermore, the document states that Saudi Arabia has given logistical support in the form of foodstuff and medicines intended for use by the ICU. On June 11, 2006, a C-130 aircraft left Jazan for the Baledogle airport. But the government said the flight had taken place for "medical" reasons. On August 14, 2006 , seven trucks containing logistical supplies, including foods and ammunition, left Mogadishu for an ICU location in the central regions of Somalia. Accompanying the convoy were 320 ICU fighters sent to reinforce fighters in the central regions.

•  Syria: On July 27, 2006, 200 ICU fighters were transported by aircraft to Syria for training in guerrilla warfare.

[edit] Alleged recruitment of Kenyan Muslims

On January 10, 2007, Kenyan North Eastern Provincial Commissioner (PC), Kiritu Wamae revealed the circulation of an intelligence report with the names of up to 4,000 Kenyan Muslim youths who were induced to join the ranks of the Somali Islamic Courts Union's jihad by offers of $400. The majority of the youths were from Garissa district. Scores were killed in the fighting. Others now seeking to return to Kenya may face treason charges. Leaders of the Council of Imam and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslim (Supkem) voiced vehement objections to the PC's allegations, and threatened to hold protests in a week.^[51]

[edit] Notes and references

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[edit] See also

• Peace Mission to Somalia

[edit] External links

• Somalia's Struggle for Stability Online NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
• Conoco-Somalia Declassification Project, Conoco-Somalia Declassification Project, 2006
• Violence Flares in Somalia (VIDEO), ogrish.com, updated 28 May 2006
• Somalia: a State of Need, IRIN Film (18 min streaming video), December 2006
• Somalia’s Islamists, International Crisis Group Report, 12 December 2005
• "The Rise and Fall of Somalia's Islamic CourtsPDF (270 KiB), Chatham House, April 2007
• "The Road Ahead: Violence and Reconciliation in Somalia" (podcast) with Idd Beddel Mohamed, Somalia's deputy rep to the UN, and Somali scholar Abdi Samatar, hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations, April 27, 2007

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