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Somali Puntland Forces Attack al-Qaida Linked Militia

   VOA News 26 July 2010

   Forces  from  Somalia's  Puntland  region have attacked a militia with
   alleged  links  to the insurgent group al-Shabab.  Monday's offensive
   targeted  the militia of Mohamed Sa'id Atom, who is on a U.N. Security
   Council watch list.
   At  least  four  Puntland  soldiers  and  at least five members of the
   militia   were   killed   in   the  fighting,  according  to  a  local
   journalist.  She says seven others were wounded.
   In  April,  the  Security  Council  said Atom had engaged in acts that
   threaten   Somalia's  security  and  stability.   It  said  Atom  has
   assembled  a  force  of  up to 250 fighters and has been implicated in
   acts  of kidnapping, piracy, and terrorism.  The council also said he
   was  importing weapons in violation of a U.N. arms embargo on Somalia,
   and supplying arms to al-Shabab.
   The  insurgent group has proclaimed its allegiance to al-Qaida, and is
   trying  to  topple  Somalia's  government  and turn the country into a
   strict Islamic state.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

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