Islamist rebels seize Somali town

A Somali Islamist group with links to al-Qaeda has captured another town, the latest in a string of gains by the movement known as al-Shabab.

The rebels – who are opposed to UN-sponsored reconciliation efforts in Somalia – overpowered pro-government forces in Hudur early on Wednesday.

Four civilians in Mogadishu were killed bringing the death toll to about 50 and 120 injured from two days of fighting.

Filed under: Africa, African Union, Aid, Civil war, Foreign affairs, Genocide, International, Islamist, Rwanda, Somalia, Suicide bomber, Terror, Terrorism, The Terror Journal, U.N, War, War Crimes, World

Fate of LTTE chief remains a mystery

At the height of his power, the Tamil commander ran a shadow state. His guerrilla force, backed by artillery, a navy and a tiny air force, reportedly took in hundreds of millions from donations and smuggling.

Now he is hiding in a jungle. Or he has fled to Malaysia. Or maybe he is dead.

With his rebel separatist group on the brink of defeat at the hands of the Sri Lankan military, Velupillai Prabhakaran’s fate remains a mystery. But then, he has lived most of his life in the shadows.

Filed under: Analysis, Australia, Canada, Chennai, Colombo, Elephant Pass, Guerrilla Group, Guerrilla war, India, Jafna, London, LTTE, Madras, Mahindra Rajapaksa, Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka, Tamil, Tamil Nadu, Terror, Terrorism, The Terror Journal, Toronto, UK, Velupillai Prabhakaran, War