15 U.S. Marines held by Islamic Courts Union in Somalia

The rumor is that 15 American Marines were captured by the Islamic Courts Union in Somalia during the recent fighting and defeat of that group. There is also rumor that these 15 will be released in exchange for the release of Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed. Read more about
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a/k/a Sheikh Sharif, here. Reports say 4 other Marines were injured. (Note some reports simply refer to the 15 as American soldiers, so I'm not positive on the branch of service, either way they are Americans)

Keep in mind that Ethiopia, the US and the Somali government all accused the UIC (Union of Islamic Courts, or Islamic Courts Union) of having links to al-Qaeda - which it strongly denies. (BBC)

According to Al-nedaa, a newspaper based in Yemen, the Islamic Courts Executive Council leader, Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, has told the newspaper that his release by the Americans and Kenyan authority in Nairobi came after negotiations were made over the discharge of 15 US marines in the hands of the fugitive Islamists in south of the country. ...

Sources close Sheik Sharif say that Sheik Ahmed stipulated the discharge of US captives with the condition that he should have his own freedom on which the, sources said, the US agreed.

The sources said at least 15 American soldiers were seized after they landed on the ground around Raskamboni near the Kenyan border where the US warplanes were striking.

The paper said during the capture, four US soldiers were wounded.

Sheik Sharif said the deal he made with the US would be implemented next week. (source)

Sheikh Sharif is now in Yemen where he has been given immunity.

Fifteen American Marines held hostage by al-Qaeda connected ICU. Now 'the Islamic Courts Council leader arrived in Sanaa, Yemen 10:00am local time on February 8th. The ICC officials ... already were in Sanaa, Yemen welcomed their leader and regrouped themselves.' That comes from a WordPress blog titled Islamic Courts Council. They describes themselves this way:

We are not the voice of the Islamic Court but we’re somali brothers who wish to shed light on the land where we’re from. [snip]

It is our duty to protect the brothers and sisters and be ready to come in defence of Al Islaam when others are attacking it whether physically or verbally. [snip]

However, by Allaah’s will good news will flood this place and the shouts of Takbeer will echo at your homes. (more)

Takbeer I believe means to reapeat Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great.

Another BBC report says:

Mr Ahmed, 32, is a law graduate from Libya and former secondary school geography teacher.

But the union does contain radical elements.

Two of the 11 courts are seen as militant; one is led by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, on an American list of terrorism suspects because he used to head al-Itihaad al-Islamiya, which was linked to al-Qaeda.

Mr Aweys says al-Itihaad no longer exists and also denies accusations from some western diplomats and observers that there are training grounds for Islamic fighters in Somalia.

We pray for the health of the 4 wounded Marines/soldiers and for the safe return of the 15 kidnapped Marines/soldiers.

Other reading:

New Zogby poll: 80 % of moderate Arabs say Israel and the U.S. are their two biggest external threats. 6% cited Iran, at SyriaComment.com

Comments

[Thomas Hamilton]

Hey! If I wanna spread a rumor, I can do it! Free country..........so far.....

[Debbie]

OK everybody, I said this was a 'rumor', so that is what I'm sticking with. However, the fact that Sheikh Sharif has been transferred to Yemen is true. The fact that he has been given immunity is apparently true.

Cop The Truth reported earlier that "According to an Arab Language Newspaper published in the Gulf State of Qatar they have received reports from both Arab and Western Diplomats that US troops are currently missing in the southern part of Somalia."

http://copthetruth.typepad.com/cop_the_truth/2007/01/are_us_soldiers.html
Kenya London Times:

http://www.kenyanewsnetwork.com/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=20&num=2467

I apparently missed that report.

It is still rumor and the US is not talking about it. It could be just rumor and I pray that it is.

[StormWarning]

Nightrider: You wrote (and picking up part of what I had written) "...misinformation later becomes someone else's truth" which in and of it self is at most nonsensical because there is no such thing as some one else's truth it's either true or not true.

Well the truth is that some people believe everything that they read, regardless of source and regardless of merit or substantiation. Thus, some people who read that "stuff" often go on and repeat to another as though it were true, when in fact, the first person is only repeating someone else's unsubstantiated statement. It doesn't make it true.

Thus, unlike "a rose, which by any other name is a rose," truth is in the eyes (or mind) of the beholder (much like beauty).

Nonsensicle indeed! The only thing that is nonsensicle is what some people choose to believe as fact.

In my case, given my business and contacts, I have the ability to go a step or two beyond guessing.

[CopTheTruth]

This 'rumor' about the captured troops has been out there for two weeks, as near as I can tell, with no denial or confirmation from the powers that be. Let's hope it is just a 'rumor'.

[StormWarning]

Say Nightrider! I checked with people I know who are alot more connected to situations like this than I am. You want me to name a name here? Not on your life!

One of the rules I live by is to never underestimate someone who I don't know. So the same should be for you. You have no idea what I do, who I know or who my sources are. Suffice to say, they are alot more credible than the source of the rumor. The rumor, as far as I am concerned is totally unsubstanitated. What? You want to believe a blurb on Somalianet?

[Night Rider]

StormWarning,

Say StormWarning how about being specific about checking with some VERY credible sources?

Also depending on your sources nothing at all to confirm the "rumor" of these Marines being held.

Please try to refrain from using non specific statements like the statement that you made in regards to checking with some VERY credible sources and also misinformation later becomes someone else's truth which in and of it self is at most nonsensical because there is no such thing as some one else's truth it's either true or not true.

[StormWarning]

I've checked with some VERY credible sources this morning and there is nothing at all to confirm the "rumor" of these Marines being held.

Rumors without confirmation do nothing to move the common knowledge ahead. All rumors do is spread misinformation. And unfortunately, much like communications along a string of people, misinformation later becomes someone else's truth.

[Debbie]

NightRider, I only used the BBC link to show that the ICU and particularly their leader, are thought to be al-Qaeda. The rest of those two articles are about the ICU problems LAT YEAR. The rest of this is from this week.

Nanc, that's strange isn't it? I would like to know more.

[nanc]

sorry to go o.t. - but here's mr. gaubatz' email:

pdgaubatz@yahoo.com

i extended him a gmail account so when he has the time, he can wonder around the www at his leisure - he will be on a news program this week. i'll post a little ditty about it as i know more.

[Night Rider]

Hi Debbie,

Another thing that is baffling to me is that the BBC article was Last Updated: Monday, 9 October 2006

Now when we went in to Somalia with our Planes and Helicopter gunships and helped Ethiopia out wasn't that after the above posted date?

[Night Rider]

Hi Debbie,

If 80 % of moderate Arabs say Israel and the United States are their two biggest external threats and 6% cited Iran how come we then are having problems with Iran, It seems that even though Iran is the smaller percentage that Iran is in the same boat as the United States and Israel?

Can you tell me Debbie why Iran is against us if we are in the same position even though the Arabs consider Iran a smaller threat to them?