Eritrea angrily denies arming Somali militants
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
November 2, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Eritrean government has reacted fiercely over media reports on Wednesday that the Red Sea nation has supplied plane loads of weapons to the Somalia extremist group, al-Shabaab.
The Kenyan government on Wednesday said that arms had been flown into the al-Shabaab controlled areas of central and southern Somalia during the past few days, including a delivery of two plane loads of armaments on Tuesday.
Officials in Kenya did not allege where weapons were coming from but local media outlets in Kenya and Somalia reported that Eritrea was behind the arms supply – an allegation immediately dismissed by the Red Sea nation.
“The government of Eritrea states categorically that these accusations are pure fabrications and outright lies, as Eritrea has not sent any arms to Somalia,” Eritrea’s Ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Tuesday’s baseless accusations are the latest product of a misinformation campaign orchestrated to undermine Eritrea and frustrate its constructive regional and international engagement.”
Kenya on Wednesday said that its forces will carry out cross border air strikes against the Somali militia targets to destroy the weapons and bases of al-Shabaab. The defence force warned residents in 10 southern Somali towns to stay away from militant bases.
The decision to confront al-Shabaab in Somalia was taken by Kenya after a spate of kidnappings and killings along the Kenyan coast and in a refugee camp receiving Somali nationals fleeing famine and conflict.
Al-Shabab deny involvement in the murders and kidnappings in Kenya.
Eritrea has long been accused of arming al-Shabaab rebels. The country is also accused of continuous interference in the internal affairs of neighboring countries and sponsoring terrorist activities in the Horn of Africa. A UN report recently accused the country of using its embassy in Kenya to bankroll the al-Qaeda-linked Somali rebels.
Eritrea has denied to all allegations in the past, saying it is part of a smear campaign spearheaded by Ethiopia. Since Eritrea seceded from its larger neighbour, relations have been sour, punctuated by a border conflict that, although stagnant, has not been resolved.
The UN Security Council last year imposed sanctions against the Red Sea nation for supporting hard line Islamic insurgents in Somalia. The sanctions include a travel ban and an assets freeze on its leaders alleged to be breaking an arms blockade on Somalia.
(ST)
Bush
Eritrea angrily denies arming Somali militants
Prove that you don’t support al-Shabaab by joining hands with Kenyan forces to flush them from Somalia. You are suffering from frustration and jealousy of seeing others moving forward with development and you are moving backward. With will you benefit from supporting al-Shabaab? this means you support piracy in the Indian Ocean too.
Gunkills
Eritrea angrily denies arming Somali militants
The whole of Africa, out of 54 countries, only Eritrea is the country supporting the World is enemy Al-Shabaab. Eritrea government must change its moves, otherwise, this will not be good to Eritrea in the eye of International Community.
Fisea
Eritrea angrily denies arming Somali militants
Dear reader,
Eritrea is telling just only the truth how the problem should be solved. Eritrea has no money, power or political affiliation to help al Shabab. Eritrea is half Christian and half Muslim country. Eritrea cannot support radical Islamic group al shabab. Eritrea’s interest is only in peace in the horn of Africa. Eritrea is telling the world leave the problem of Somalis to Somalis
omoni jr.
Eritrea angrily denies arming Somali militants
And who are supporting the most notorious killers in the lake region of African called L.R.A.??
Al shababa are not terrorizing and threatening the countries located at the horn of Africa.
Somalia are fighting their own conflicts,let us pull our noses from interference.
Kenyan,ugandan,and Burundi are fighting American’s war,this is the exhange of goods and services. “Money can talk” that is it.