Six armed men kidnapped from Makadishu, Kenya detains one al-Qaida suspect
Somalia, Politics, 3/20/2003

Kenya's national security minister said yesterday that the Kenyan security forces arrested in collaboration with "Somali leaders" a man suspected to be a member in al-Qaida organization, while earlier reports indicated that American hirelings carried out this operation.

In a statement, the Kenyan minister said that the "Kenyan police held in custody a man thought to be a member in al-Qaida organization to inquire from him on several terrorist attacks in East Africa." The statement added that arresting the man came as a result of "joint effort between our security forces and Somali leaders looking forward to peace and do not want terrorists to be active in their country."

Identical sources in Makadishu announced earlier that six Americans in civilian uniform kidnapped on Tuesday from a hospital in Makadishu a man of a Yemeni origin suspected to be a member in al-Qaida organization before he was taken out of Makadishu by air.

Eye witnesses, and medical and navigation forces reported that the operation was carried out at the support of the armed militias members pro to war lords to the north of Makadishu.

It is thought that several members of al-Qaida organization resorted to Somalia which -- since the attacks of September 11, 2001 against New York and Washington -- is subjected to monitoring by the anti- terrorism international coalition. Three of the coalition gun-ships are roaming off the Somali coasts..

The Somali daily Ksogogal issued in Makadishu said that the man was wounded several days ago when militia gunmen tried to kidnap him before the local police interfered to rescue him.

Previous Stories:
  Somali government returns to reconciliation negotiations   (3/18/2003)
  Kuwait, Somalia for boosting bilateral relations   (3/17/2003)
  American air sorties over Somalia   (1/5/2002)
  Al-Bashir gets a message from Somali president   (12/8/2001)
  Somalia: no bases for al-Qaida organization   (11/28/2001)

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