UK Accused of Training and Supporting Deadly Somaliland Counter-Terrorism Unit

The UK is providing training and support to a Somaliland counterterrorism unit accused of unlawful killings and political intimidation, according to members of Somaliland’s parliament.

The Rapid Reaction Unit (RRU), a Somaliland paramilitary counter-terror squad established in 2012, was deployed by President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud’s administration on November 15 to prevent opposition members of parliament (MPs) from entering parliament in order to influence a vote, members of Somaliland’s parliament told VICE News.

A report by Somaliland’s Human Rights Center, published Tuesday, also blamed the RRU for the deaths of at least two demonstrators after soldiers allegedly fired at a group of them indiscriminately. MPs confirmed that the RRU had been accused of killing protestors at demonstrations.

Citing “security reasons,” the UK Foreign Office will not confirm or deny to VICE News whether it provides assistance to the RRU. However, the British government has previously released details of support, including security equipment, vehicles, a UK-built headquarters, and a pretrial detention facility — all “gifted” as part of its counter-terrorism program.

Abdirahman Mohamed Jama, a Waddani party MP, accused the president of using the paramilitary unit as a personal task force, and said that British forces are regularly witnessed training the RRU at a camp in Hargeisa.

“I have seen with my own eyes that they were training them how to shoot,” he said. “I saw them learning how to shoot bullets a month ago at a camp in Hargeisa.

“It’s not a secret,” he added. “Everybody in Somaliland knows that the British are funding the RRU.”

An annual report by the Somaliland Human Rights Center released on Tuesday said that the number of soldiers in the RRU has doubled from 50 to 100 in the last two years.

The RRU uses “unnecessary force” against civilians and “sometimes beat suspects,” the report claims.

On December 28, 2013, police and RRU forces opened fire on civilians protesting water shortages in Hargeisa, resulting in the deaths of two demonstrators, the report said.

Underground chemists in the UK are trying to bring Quaaludes back. Read more here.

On November 15, Jama says that he and 28 opposition MPs were denied entry to parliament in an apparent attempt to influence a vote on a new speaker of the house. RRU and other state security forces numbering around 400 had occupied the building.

Jama described the November 15 incident as “the final demolition of the Somaliland democracy process.”

Warning shots were fired, five members of parliament were arrested, and two were “badly beaten” by police, Jama says. All were released without charge several hours later.

“They were trying to prevent people from voting,” he said.

The pre-arranged vote did not go ahead after MPs inside the House left in protest, and a quorum was not present.

The speaker of the House of Representatives told VICE News that the security forces attempted to disarm his bodyguards and refuse him entry as he approached parliament.

“Maybe a kilometer away from the House there was a checkpoint with a large number of security forces including the RRU,” Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi said. “In order to avoid a clash I decided to continue to my house. They are powerful now. Everybody is afraid.”

“We were very lucky we weren’t hurt,” Jama told VICE News. “The ruling party was very angry of the support we had in parts of Somaliland.”

Protests followed the military occupation of parliament, which, according to Jama, led to the deaths of at least three people.

“Whenever there is a protest in Somaliland, they don’t use water cannons, they don’t use rubber bullets. They use live bullets to disperse a crowd. Bullets kill people,” Jama said. “They fired indiscriminately into the crowds.”

Jama, who is also a British citizen and former teacher at a number of schools in the London borough of Harrow, said he was “ashamed” of the use of taxpayer money to fund the “oppressive” force.

“I urge the UK government to review its funding and support to the RRU,” he said.

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Britain’s counter-terrorism operations have recently come under scrutiny following an investigation by Al Jazeera that unearthed allegations by Kenyan anti-terror police that the UK provided training, equipment, and intelligence to an assassination squad that has carried out nearly 500 extrajudicial killings.

Somaliland receives millions in aid from the UK. The country declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has been cautiously celebrated as a beacon of democracy within the fragile state, following five elections.

The UK government’s Department for International Development (DfID) describes it as “more stable than the rest of the country,” but states that development needs “remain high.” Journalists are regularly arrested and detained.

VICE News contacted Somaliland’s ruling Kulmiye party for comment but did not receive a response.

“We are not able to provide detail on our counter-terrorism program funding for operational security reasons, however any HMG funding is delivered in line with HMG’s Overseas Security and Assistance Guidance and is regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with international human rights,” a Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson said. “We believe that respect for human rights is an integral part of any effective approach to counter-terrorism.”

Follow Ben Bryant on Twitter: @benbryant

Sourve Vice News

Erdoğan meets with Somaliland leader in İstanbul

Erdoğan meets with Somaliland leader in İstanbul


2 October 2013 /TODAY'S ZAMAN, ANKARA

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with the leader of Somalia's autonomous Somaliland region, Ahmed Muhammed Silanyo, in İstanbul on Wednesday.

The meeting was closed to the press. Turkey holds regular direct talks between the leaders of Somalia and Somaliland, acting as a mediator to resolve the problematic issues between the two sides.
Somaliland unilaterally declared its independence as a de facto sovereign state in 1991 after a coalition of clan-based armed opposition groups ousted the nation's long-standing military government. Somalia wants Somaliland to be part of a united country. But the territory, which has been a haven of relative peace amid the chaos and bloodshed in the country's south, is seeking international recognition. The international community is urging the sides to find a negotiated solution.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud and Silanyo came together for the first time in a tripartite meeting held by top Turkish officials at the request of the two parties in Ankara in mid-April.
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu described the first meeting on April 13 in İstanbul as a "historic start," at which the parties signed the “Ankara communiqué,” voicing their commitment to the continuation of dialogue during proximity talks hosted by Turkey.
In early July, Davutoğlu also came together with officials from Somalia and Somaliland in a continuation of the peace talks between the two sides which started on April 13.
The Somaliland president also visited Turkey in mid-March to have talks with Turkish officials, including Davutoğlu, who pledged to increase aid efforts to Somaliland. During his visit, Silanyo was also scheduled to meet with Erdoğan; however, the meeting had to be canceled due to Erdoğan's poor health. Diplomatic sources stated that five ministers from the Somaliland side also attended the Davutoğlu-Silanyo meeting, which was closed to the press.
Meanwhile, in mid-January, Ankara also hosted the Somalia Core Group meeting which aimed to discuss the rebuilding of the Somali army. Turkey is part of the Somalia Core Group and recently signed an agreement with Somalia on training, technical and scientific cooperation in the military field.
Turkey places great importance on the integrity of Somalia and pledges to continue its support for the reconciliation, stability, prosperity and development of Somalia.

Kenya Warns Against Flights in Somalia Amid Arms Shipments

Bloomberg

Kenya Warns Against Flights in Somalia Amid Arms Shipments
By Sarah McGregor and Paul Richardson

(Updates with report Eritrean ambassador summoned in first paragraph.)

Nov. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Kenya warned aircraft against flying over an area of Somalia where arms shipments may have been delivered to al-Shabaab, as it reportedly summoned Eritrea’s ambassador about allegations his country is supplying weapons to the militants.

At least three aircraft have landed in southern Somalia carrying weapons suspected of being for the al-Qaeda-linked militia, which is being targeted by Kenyan military forces that began an incursion into Somalia on Oct. 16. Two of the aircraft landed in Baidoa, 224 kilometers (139 miles) northwest of Mogadishu, army spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir said.

“We know Baidoa is being used to deliver weapons,” Chirchir said today in a telephone interview in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. “Every time we have a delivery, we are going to take that aircraft down.”

Kenya’s government accuses al-Shabaab of murdering a British tourist in Kenya and abducting at least four visitors and aid workers, damaging a tourism industry that is the East African nation’s second-biggest foreign-exchange earner. Al- Shabaab denies the charges.

While heavy rainfall has hampered the advance of Kenya troops, the military is targeting 10 Somali towns, including the port of Kismayo, which is a main supply route for al-Shabaab, and warned residents there to be cautious.

Chirchir said last month Kenyan forces are “willing to celebrate Christmas” in Kismayo if it takes that long to arrive there. The army hasn’t provided any schedule for its planned advance or details on the size of its force.

Al-Shabaab Fight

Al-Shabaab has been fighting Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s United Nations-backed government, which is supported by a 9,500-member African Union force, for four years and controls most of southern and central Somalia.

“All aircraft are hereby warned not to land in Baidoa,” Chirchir said in a statement on his Twitter account yesterday. “Anyone violating this will be doing so at their peril. Further unauthorized flying over the region will be considered a threat.”

Two aircraft that landed at Baidoa may have departed from Eritrea, the Nairobi-based Standard newspaper reported on Nov. 2, citing unidentified websites in Somalia that quoted al- Shabaab. A third aircraft may have also originated in Eritrea, the Daily Nation, based in Nairobi, said yesterday.

Eritrea denied it is supplying arms to al-Shabaab and said there is no evidence it has any military involvement in Somalia, according to a statement e-mailed by the country’s Foreign Ministry on Nov. 2.

Ambassador Summoned

“We don’t know what the source of the shipment is,” Chirchir said today.

Eritrean Ambassador Beyene Russom met Kenyan Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula after the diplomat was summoned to discuss allegations his country was involved in shipping arms to al-Shabaab, the Daily Nation reported today, without citing anyone. Russom wasn’t immediately available for comment on the report, an assistant at his Nairobi-based office who declined to be identified in line with embassy policy, said by phone.

Eritrea may be providing financial and logistical support to armed opposition groups in Somalia and other countries including Uganda, Djibouti and Ethiopia, according to a July report by the United Nations Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea.

Nairobi Bombings

Kenya’s navy yesterday intercepted a skiff carrying suspected militants, killing all 18 people on board, Chirchir said. Al-Shabaab has threatened to retaliate against Kenya.

Last month, two bomb blasts in Nairobi killed one person and injured 28 in attacks the government said were inspired by al-Shabaab. A man arrested in connection with the bombings, Elgiva Bwire Oliacha, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to charges including engaging in organized criminal activity and of being a member of al-Shabaab.

Chirchir also warned Kenyan livestock traders not to sell donkeys to al-Shabaab militants, who are using the animals to carry weapons.

“The locals use donkeys to fetch water for domestic use, however, due to the heavy rains water-fetching is not feasible,” he said. “Any large concentration and movement of loaded donkeys will be considered as al-Shabaab activity.”

--Editors: Karl Maier, Vernon Wessels, Heather Langan

To contact the reporters on this story: Sarah McGregor in Nairobi at smcgregor5@bloomberg.net; Paul Richardson in Nairobi at pmrichardson@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Louis Meixler at lmeixler@bloomberg.net

Prime Minister of Somalia's statement GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 66TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Prime Minister of Somalia's statement GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 66TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY Prime Minister of Somalia's statement GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 66TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY Mr President, Mr Secretary-General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentleman: Mr President, let me take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election as President of the Sixty Sixth Session of the United Nations General Assembly. I would also like to congratulate our Secretary General of the United Nations on his re-election for a second term. We Somalis would like to thank him for his leadership as he put Somalia on the top of the agenda despite having too many competing priorities. We hope that Somalia will become peaceful and stable during his tenure. It is my honour to address you for the first time as the Prime Minister of Somalia. I come before you mindful of the enormous challenges of this important moment in our history and determined to act boldly in the cause of peace, justice and stability, not only on the Horn of Africa but on the African continent at large and in the world as a whole. The United Nations was founded on the conviction that the nations of the world could come together in the spirit of cooperation to tackle their common problems for the sake of the whole of humanity. I wish to speak of the challenges facing Somalia whose effects have found ample expression in the current dire situation in the country, and some of which threaten each country represented here. Let me take this opportunity to thank the Prime Minister of Turkey for his genuine leadership and for highlighting the plight and the suffering of those people aggected by the famine. The seemingly unending humanitarian crisis in Somalia has many and varied causes. Decades of conflict, the demise of the central state, poor and kleptocratic leadership and struggles between clans for limited resources, exacerbated by cycles of devastating droughts, have created chronic food shortages, an underdeveloped economy and has driven the population to despair. In recent years, the global terrorist organisation, Al Qaeda, has sought to exploit these divisions and weaknesses to plot and execute attacks on the rest of the world. Our people know only too well the destruction that a few people, blinded by an ideology of extremism and terror, can wreak on a country. It is this small minority, primarily the Al Qaeda affiliated group al Shabaab, that is responsible for the current famine that is spreading throughout the country through their polices of systematically looting grain stores; forcible recruitment of and extortion from farmers and their families; and preventing access to the most affected regions in the south to aid agencies. However, the threat they pose is not limited to our borders. Foreign fighters have sought to export their noxious extremism to the rest of the Horn, recruiting and sponsoring acts of terror in neighbouring countries such as Uganda, where last year they murdered 76 innocent people. The insecurity they have created in the south of Somalia has led to a large influx of refugees into Kenya and Ethiopia, straining resources and spreading instability across the region. They are also actively planning to strike further afield. Just this week, one of the leaders of the al Shabaab said the group is committed to continuing its battle against the government of Somalia and also seeks to destroy both the United States and the United Nations. It is also a well known fact that the al Shabaab have been focussing their recruitment and radicalisation efforts on Somali Diasporas in Australia, Europe, Canada and in the USA. Clearly, the battle against Al Qaeda is one in which we all have a stake and in which we all, therefore, have responsibilities. In Somalia, we have been doing what we can, within our limited resources, to fulfill our obligations in this regard. Barely a month after US forces killed Osama bin Laden, one of his most wanted deputies, Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, was shot dead by Somali security forces on the outskirts of Mogadishu. Shortly thereafter, with the aid of African Union forces, the Somali National Army succeeded in forcing the extremists to withdraw the bulk of their forces from the capital. As a result, we are now able to begin to provide needed humanitarian assistance to the city’s ever increasing population of internally displaced persons who are fleeing the areas still held by the extremists where the famine has hit hardest. Though the extremists’ retreat from Mogadishu is a welcome development, it may herald a new and more dangerous phase of the conflict as they increasingly turn to asymmetric tactics such as suicide bombings and the use of improvised explosive devices targeting the civilian populace. As we continue build up our capacities, our security agencies are alert to this threat and have already successfully disrupted a number of planned attacks, including several targeting the hungry at feeding centers. Mr. President, Terrorism preys on decaying states, exploiting the poverty and the ungoverned spaces to radicalize, recruit and plan. This is why the extremists have consistently fought against the Somali Peace Process and sought to destroy the institutions it has generated. Somalia’s leaders are redoubling efforts to achieve national reconciliation and entrench democratic governance. Three weeks ago, with the help of our international partners, we hosted a National Consultative Conference in Mogadishu -the first - during which the transitional institutions and representatives of regional administrations came together to adopt a Roadmap to the re-establishment of permanent, legitimate and representative government for the country. This conference, the culmination of Somali-led reconciliation initiatives dating back to the Arta Declaration of May 2000, represents the best hope for Somalia to establish a firm political foundation from which to rebuild. The Roadmap is a significant achievement for the Somali Peace Process. Its adoption marks the first of many steps on the path to the eventual conclusion of the transition process in a responsible and productive manner. It has also shed light on the remaining transitional tasks, including the drafting and promulgation of a new constitution. The Transitional Federal Institutions have committed to meeting the specific timelines and benchmarks for their implementation as outlined in the Roadmap and this will allow the Somali people to monitor our performance in this regard.  The support of the international community is also crucial to ensuring its success. Indeed the Conference itself would not have taken place but for the continued engagement of the international community. Let me also take this opportunity to express my gratitude, on behalf of the entire nation, to the African Union, and especially Uganda and Burundi, for the support they have given and the sacrifices they have made so far in this worthy cause. The fact that the Conference was safely held in Mogadishu is testimony to the achievements in security that their forces have made possible in the city. I must also thank all the countries represented here for the bilateral and multilateral support given to both the transitional institutions and the AU Mission in Somalia, without which none of what has been achieved, would have been possible. Going forward, as we embark on the final leg of the transition process, we will continue to need your help and support. The Roadmap has illuminated the path and though dangers may lie in the shadows, we will not divert from it. We ask that you continue to accompany us on this journey and continue to provide needed resources as we advance towards full sovereignty Despite the remarkable progress we have made so far, the gains we have made remain fragile and consolidating them will require resilience and unity from all. It is critical that the Somali Army and AMISOM are urgently reinforced so they can prevent a security vacuum in the areas of Mogadishu recently vacated by the fleeing extremists, and make the city safe for both residents and aid workers. The immediate deployment of the extra 3000 AMISOM troops already authorized by the UN Security Council would be a crucial first step. Along with this, I have asked the Security Council to reconsider the request from the African Union to expand the force strength to 20,000 troops and provide them with the necessary resources and support, including an air and marine component, so that the zone of safety can be expanded to include the rest of the country. In addition to this, we must also begin to demonstrate to the people the fruits of peace and democracy and to reverse the harmful effects of radicalisation. Somalia needs the help of the outside world to rebuild its economy and provide jobs for the millions of our young people who have been deprived of opportunities by the anarchy of the past two decades. We must show them that there is a better alternative to the gun. The effort must begin at home. Let me be the first to acknowledge that, in the past, we Somalis made mistakes, which eroded the trust the international community has in our institutions. Somalia can and must do better. In this time of national crisis, we the Somali people must set aside our differences and come together to confront the perils. Reconciliation must become our mantra as we work to further the peace process and create an environment conducive for the delivery of aid. We in the political class must also accept our responsibility for the errors of the past and resolve to do better. The Somali people have had enough of war and hunger; enough of political wrangling and corruption. They demand, and indeed deserve, a government that puts the national interest before personal ambition; one that fosters unity, not division. The Transitional Federal Government is making efforts to reverse this and to instil a sense of patriotism and responsibility. We are making good progress in injecting professionalism and transparency into revenue collection and economic management systems, as well as to strengthen internal mechanisms governing dispersal of government money and create a more open and accountable fiscal and monetary system. The Central Bank of Somalia is up and running and the economic reforms have resulted in the doubling of revenue from the Mogadishu Seaport and quadrupled those from the Aden Ade International Airport. The funds are being reinvested in provision of services to the people as our current capability allows. For example, 15 per cent of the revenue collected from the Seaport has been set aside for the rehabilitation of the city. As a result, for the first time in twenty years Mogadishu is being cleared of rubble; roads are being repaired and streets lit; markets, hospitals and schools are reopening. A register containing the names and biometric data of all members of the security forces has been compiled and our soldiers are receiving their allowances regularly. As required by the Roadmap, we have also embarked on the process of identifying nominees to the Interim Independent Anti-Corruption Commission and we are formulating a National Fiscal Budget for the coming fiscal year. As with the gains in the security sector, in order to entrench and safeguard these reforms, and to deliver on the expectations of the Somali people, we in the Transitional Federal Government must improve on our performance and create necessary conditions for the growth of the Somali economy. However, the scale of the challenge is such that we will continue to rely on the help of our international partners. It is understandable that in the prevailing global economic environment, many in the wealthier countries will be tempted to look to their own problems to the detriment of providing aid and investment to their poorer cousins in the developing world. I would caution against this. The visionaries who founded this body understood that it was impossible to secure economic benefits for a section of the global population for as long as these remain a distant dream for the rest and sought to establish an interlinked global political and economic infrastructure which ensured that citizens in every country could participate in, and partake of the fruits of, global prosperity.  I therefore urge the international community to continue its generous support for the emerging economic institutions as we strive to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure and to jump start economic activity in the areas our forces are securing. To the business community, I say Somalia is truly Africa’s sleeping giant and a relatively small investment here will go a long way. With the longest coastline on the continent, bountiful and unexploited natural wealth and an entrepreneurial tradition that dates back to the Roman times, a peaceful Somalia would be a force for moderation and an engine of growth and prosperity for the region and for the continent. Further, the integration of Somalia into the global economy will have a considerable and beneficial impact on the phenomenon of piracy from our shores, which imposes huge costs on global trade. As has been noted by many observers, the lasting solution to this menace is not to be found in policing the high seas. The regeneration of a vibrant economy on the land, providing jobs and opportunity for all, is the sole antidote. Mr. President, The humanitarian situation in Somalia remains dire. The UN has declared famine in a sixth region which means that up to half the population is now facing the prospect of starvation. Many of these continue to come to the capital seeking refuge and over half a million have already arrived. To deal with this situation and to oversee the delivery of humanitarian assistance, a high level cabinet committee has been created and, as per its recommendations, the government has established several camps to house and feed them. A Disaster Management Agency, comprising members of the civil society has also been established and we are working with UN agencies such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Food Program to synchronize our efforts to deal with the famine. On behalf of the entire Somali nation, I wish to express my gratitude for the pledges of assistance that have been received from governments and humanitarian agencies around the world. The greatest need, however, continues to be felt within areas still under the effective control of the extremists, where access by international humanitarian agencies is severely restricted. The insurgents are also hampering the freedom of movement of millions who are trying to reach help either in Mogadishu or in neighboring countries. Without urgent interventions to change this situation, it is estimated that up to three-quarters of a million people may perish in the next few months. Though normal to above-normal rainfall is expected to return in the next three months, this is unlikely to result in a significant easing of the crisis in the short term since the harvest would not be expected till February. In any case, the production from the short rain season only accounts for a third of total annual cereal production. The displacement of farmers by the current famine will only further reduce the expected yield. In fact, the UN has indicated that it expects the famine to spread to the rest of the south by the end of the year. It is therefore critical that we accelerate efforts to reach those in al Shabaab controlled areas, while at the same time ensuring that international humanitarian workers are afforded a measure of security against attacks and kidnappings by the insurgents. As I noted earlier, the international community must urgently reinforce our efforts to extend the zone of safety for aid workers beyond Mogadishu and into these areas. In the meantime my government will continue to work closely with humanitarian agencies to collect and share information on needs and we stand ready to cooperate with all actors to ensure aid gets to the most critically affected populations wherever they may be. As stated before, the challenges I have outlined have been aggravated by the increasing cycles of devastating drought that we experience as a result of the changes in global climate patterns. We in the Horn of Africa have been affected more than most. As I speak, the region is experiencing its worst drought in a generation and the scale of the suffering in my country is testament to price we are having to pay. There needs to be a concerted effort not just to address the causes of climate change but also to mitigate the adverse effects, especially in countries such as Somalia that have contributed little to the problem but are bearing the brunt of its consequences. In this regard, let me reiterate the appeal issued during the recent Summit on the Horn of Africa Crisis held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, for developed nations to facilitate the transfer of technology and building up of the capacity of developing nations to adapt to these challenges. Somalia will require assistance to improve water resource management and reduce our reliance on rain-fed agriculture even as we strive to implement the targets agreed to at the Nairobi Summit of ten percent forest cover and irrigated land by the year 2017. Furthermore, we fully support the right of Palestine to become a full member of the Community of Nations. We believe the two-state solution for the Palestinian – Israeli problem, where Palestinians should be allowed to live in peace and dignity in their own homeland. We have all seen the changes happening in the Arab World and the international community must support the peaceful and democratic aspirations of the people. We must all support the National Transitional Council of Libya in order to bring peace and stability in that country. In conclusion, today the future of Somalia hangs in the balance and with it the prospect of peace, stability and prosperity on the Horn of Africa and security for nations across the world. Resolute global action in support our efforts is now required if we are to consolidate and build on the gains already made, and extend them to the rest of the country for the sake of future generations. Thank You. -- Abdirahman Omar Osman (Eng. Yarisow) Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister of Somalia & Spokesperson of the Government Tel: +252615479911 or +252699998854 E-mail: ayarisow@opm.gov.so E-mail: engabdirahman@gmail.com

Somalia: Pirates Led Abducted British Woman to Harardhere Town

Somalia: Pirates Led Abducted British Woman to Harardhere Town
Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)

Mogadishu — Reliable sources say a British woman abducted from the border between Somalia and Kenya has been led to Harardhere of Mudug region, a stronghold of Somali pirates for the past hours.

The sources said that two boats carrying the woman whose husband reportedly shot dead by the abductors near the border between Somali and Kenya reached at the coast of Harardhere town of Mudug region in Somalia.

Witnesses assured to Shabelle radio that the woman was in the hands of the Somali pirates and led to the forest of Harardhere town shortly after the boat carrying the woman reached at the coast of Hobyo in same region.

Abdullahi Mohamed Farah, a scholar in Harardhere town confirmed to the Shabelle radio that the health situation of the woman was alright saying he had seen her in the town having ear-devices on heard.

Latest reports from the town where the pirates took her say that she had been detained in parts of Jubba regions in southern Somalia though the pirates lastly took her to their strongholds in Mudug region.

Armed gangs had kidnapped a British couple from the border between Somalia and Kenya who had reportedly killed the husband of the women in parts of southern Somalia.