Somalia Islamists eye a bigger fish - Zenawi

(SomaliNet) For the first time in thirty years, a sizable threat from Somalia is upon Ethiopia. The Islamic Courts are sharpening their knives for what they called the ultimate holy war against Ethiopia. The last time Somalia and Ethiopia fought was in 1979 during the cold war. Although the foot soldiers were Somalis and Ethiopians the real war between the United States and the Soviet who were fighting for regional dominance.

Almost all Islamic Courts military commanders and spiritual leaders who spoke in the past few days said their aim is to engage holy war with the Ethiopian regime. Before that dream comes into reality, they must either isolate or get rid of President Abdulahi Yusuf who is Ethiopia’s best friend in Somalia. Mr. Yusuf has another agenda and is preparing to counter attack the Islamic Courts as soon as the UN Security Council removes the arms import embargo on Somalia.

A military commander who defeated pro-government colonel Bare Hirale in southern Somalia promised to go into Ethiopia and do what he said the Ethiopians have been doing in Somalia for long. Sheik Sharif who is the head of the military wing of the Islamic courts told Al-Jazeera that the war among Somalis is over and now the new phase involves Ethiopian army in Somalia and us. New jihadist recruits have quadrupled in the past few days.

In reality, the Islamic Courts control about one third of the country and the federal government, although weak is still intact. Both northern administrations, self-declared Somaliland and semi-autonomous Puntland denounced the courts as clan based local faction. Before any Islamist crosses into Ethiopia, Prime Minister Zenawi will likely arm everyone who’s not happy with the courts.

Before the current conflict, Ethiopia armed many factions like SSDF, SNM, USC, SPM and many more against Somalia’s last government headed by General Mohamed Siad Barre. After Siad Barre, Ethiopia armed new breeds of factions and warlords. Islamists and many Somalis argue Ethiopia supports many armed groups only to balance the field in order to keep Somalia in its current state.
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