Hard rain on Somali jihadis
So, up pops grisly old Ayman al-Zawahiri last week urging the use of suicide bombs and ambushes against the Somali government and its Ethiopian allies after the two had sent the Union of Islamic Courts running for cover. "As the world's most powerful power in the world has been defeated in Afghanistan and Iraq by the believer groups, who will go to heaven, its slaves will be defeated, God willing, on the land of the muhjahid Muslim Somalia," said the gangster. For his most murderous followers, he added: "Use ambushes, mines, raids and martyrdom-seeking raids to devour them as the lions devour their prey." Er, right.
There's nothing new in al-Zawahiri's calls for indiscriminate death, of course, but the days when jihadis can expect a cost-free media moment are coming to an end. Since last night, heavily-armed American AC-130 gunship and helicopter gunships have been visiting southern Somalia raining punishment upon al-Qaeda and its supporters. Must be rather uncomfortable there now for al-Zawahiri's "lions" as the Somalis and the Ethiopians have the Islamic Courts cornered on land and the US Navy and coalition forces are covering the coast. Meanwhile, it's rumoured that Kenya's security forces are blocking attempts by the Islamic Courts to get across the border.
Ayman al-Zawahiri called for jihad in Somalia. Now he's got it.
