Hell Hole

One day after Ethiopean troops pulled out of the Somali capital of Mogadishu, Somali rebels have attacked the presidential palace. The group, seeking to establish in Somalia a Muslim state, say they will now turn to the thousands of AU peacekeepers in the country as targets, reports the LA Times.

Mogadishu in Trouble

Violence and political turmoil followed the pullout of Ethiopian troops from the Somali capital Mogadishu yesterday, reports Garowe Online.

Leaving Mogadishu

To the praise of local residents, soldiers supporting the western-backed government in Somalia began pulling out of the capital Mogadishu yesterday.  

The troops arrived in 2006 to bolster the interim government in its fight against rebels at the time, an intervention that was deeply unpopular among the Muslim population in the area.  

AARRRrrrrr!

The U.S. Navy has announced plans to head a new anti-pirate unit in the pirate-stricken Somalia coastal waters.  More than 20 nations will contribute to the operation, slated to being later this month, reports the BBC.

Last year saw more than 100 pirate attacks.  The area targeted by the new force, larger than the Mediterranean, consists of a 480-mile-long shipping lane.  A navy spokeswoman said effective patrolling will require 60 warships.