Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
EASO Country of Origin Information report — South and Central <strong>Somalia</strong> — Country overview — 73<br />
Baidoa is under two threats.The first one is the conflict linked to SW6 and SW3 ( 617 ). According to one source, there<br />
are no relevant standing militias on either side ( 618 ). Another source mentions a militia of the SW3-proponent and<br />
former Speaker of Parliament, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden already in Baidoa ( 619 ). Demonstrations and shootings<br />
already took place and because of ‘the split in the leadership in the region, any mistake can easily increase tensions<br />
and lead to the deterioration of the security situation in Baidoa’ ( 620 ). However, AMISOM does not take sides but<br />
tries to separate parties by a policy of ‘pacification through intimidation’ ( 621 ).<br />
The second threat is Al‐Shabaab terror, the group having some popular support in town and hidden elements in the<br />
area ( 622 ). In addition, ‘Baidoa remains virtually surrounded with Al‐Shabaab defensive positions at Abal and Totiyas<br />
and a stronger line from Jilibey to Labaatan Jirow’ ( 623 ).<br />
3.4.7 The Luuq‐Baidoa‐Mogadishu Corridor<br />
The towns along the road are under control of AMISOM/SNAF ( 624 ). The Ethiopian AMISOM‐contingent is making<br />
numerous efforts to secure its supply routes. As a result, the road leading from Luuq to Baidoa is described as<br />
relatively secure. The road going further down from Baidoa to Afgooye is described as very insecure ( 625 ). While<br />
the road Luuq‐Baidoa is affected every few days, the Baidoa‐Afgooye road sees incidents more frequently ( 626 ) , for<br />
example ambushes on AMISOM/SNAF convoys on 17 and 19 May 2014 with three AMISOM, one SNAF and a number<br />
of Al‐Shabaab killed ( 627 ).<br />
Even the road from Afgooye to Mogadishu is affected, for example on 23 May 2014 when a water truck of AMISOM<br />
hit a landmine ( 628 ). The insecurity of that area spreads to the roads leading to Afgooye, with different militias, outlaws<br />
and SNAF’s 3rd Brigade setting up illegal checkpoints on a random basis ( 629 ), fighting over the best positions, for<br />
example intra‐SNAF clashes on 25 and 29 April 2014 ( 630 ). SPF and NISA have been trying to remove illegal checkpoints<br />
(manned by SNAF), resulting in repeated clashes ( 631 ). AMISOM is occasionally clearing checkpoints, but is not able<br />
to prevent fighting between clans and SNAF ( 632 ).<br />
Overall, civilians regularly travel along the corridor ‘but in terms of security it is not the safest road’ because it is not<br />
only AMISOM/SNAF that are harassed by Al‐Shabaab but civilians as well ( 633 ). In addition, banditry, robbery and<br />
extortion at checkpoints occur along the road ( 634 ).<br />
( 617 ) Security Analysis Expert, Austria: interview by the author, 13 May 2014.<br />
( 618 ) Security Analysis Expert, Austria: interview by the author, 13 May 2014.<br />
( 619 ) RBC Radio/Raxanreeb Online, Analysis on the new 25 cabinet members, 19 January 2014 (http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/01/somalia‐analysis‐on‐the‐new-<br />
25-cabinet‐members/) accessed 19 May 2014.<br />
( 620 ) ISS Africa, Peace and Security Council <strong>Report</strong>, issue 59, June 2014 (http://www.issafrica.org/uploads/PSC59_%20June_14English.pdf) accessed 3 June 2014, p. 9.<br />
( 621 ) Security Analysis Expert, Austria: interview by the author, 13 May 2014; the source mentioned that AMISOM is showing force (tanks) as to disperse crowds.<br />
( 622 ) UNDSS in: Landinfo/Udlændingsstyrelsen, Update on security and protection issues in Mogadishu and South‐Central <strong>Somalia</strong>, March 2014 (http://landinfo.<br />
no/asset/2837/1/2837_1.pdf) accessed 26 May 2014, p. 53.<br />
( 623 ) OODA Loop, Security and Political Awareness <strong>Report</strong> <strong>Somalia</strong> for April 10 2014, 10 April 2014 (http://www.oodaloop.com/wp‐content/uploads/2014/03/<br />
<strong>Somalia</strong>‐<strong>Report</strong>‐through-4.4.14.pdf) accessed 16 May 2014.<br />
( 624 ) Tiwald, A., ‘The Security Situation in <strong>Somalia</strong>’, <strong>Somalia</strong>: Security, Minorities and Migration, Austria: Federal Ministry of the Interior, 2013 (http://www.refworld.<br />
org/docid/53564b8a4.html) accessed 15 May 2014, p. 31.<br />
( 625 ) Security Analysis Expert, Austria: interview by the author, 13 May 2014.<br />
( 626 ) Security Analysis Expert, Austria: interview by the author, 13 May 2014.<br />
( 627 ) Security Analysis Department, Weekly Security <strong>Report</strong>, 23 May 2014.<br />
( 628 ) EU <strong>Somalia</strong> Mission, Press Review – Xog‐Ogaal, 24 May 2014.<br />
( 629 ) Security Analysis Expert, Austria: interview by the author, 13 May 2014; see also: Landinfo/Udlændingsstyrelsen, Update on security and protection issues in<br />
Mogadishu and South‐Central <strong>Somalia</strong>, March 2014 (http://landinfo.no/asset/2837/1/2837_1.pdf) accessed 26 May 2014, p. 50.<br />
( 630 ) Security Analysis Department, Weekly Security <strong>Report</strong>, 2 May 2014.<br />
( 631 ) Security Analysis Department, Weekly Security <strong>Report</strong>, 25 April 2014.<br />
( 632 ) Security Analysis Expert, Austria: interview by the author, 13 May 2014.<br />
( 633 ) UNDSS in: Landinfo/Udlændingsstyrelsen, Update on security and protection issues in Mogadishu and South‐Central <strong>Somalia</strong>, March 2014 (http://landinfo.<br />
no/asset/2837/1/2837_1.pdf) accessed 26 May 2014, p. 53.<br />
( 634 ) UNDSS in: Landinfo/Udlændingsstyrelsen, Update on security and protection issues in Mogadishu and South‐Central <strong>Somalia</strong>, March 2014 (http://landinfo.<br />
no/asset/2837/1/2837_1.pdf) accessed 26 May 2014, p. 53.
Change language