A doctoral student specializing in Somali politics at the University of California, in Los Angeles, stated that there was fighting between the Warsengeli and the Al-Itihad in 1992 (15 May 1997). The issue of contention was reportedly the port of Bosasso (ibid.). The Warsengeli-dominated Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF) reportedly engaged the Al-Itihad for several weeks until they drove them out of Bosasso (ibid.). The source further stated that "Colonel Abdillahi Yussuf's SSDF forces in hot pursuit of the retreating Itihad warriors carried some of the fighting to Las Koreh district. This conflict was purely between the above two forces and was not in any way aimed at the inhabitants of Los Koreh" (ibid.).

Information on recent fighting in the area could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB. The Al Hayat newspaper in London, England, was unable to provide information on the subject. For detailed information on the Al-Itihad, please consult the attached document.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference

Doctoral student specializing in Somali politics, University of California, Los Angeles. 15 May 1997. Letter received by mail.

Additional Sources Consulted

Al Hayat [London]. Daily.

Africa Confidential [London]. Weekly.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [London]. Monthly.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 1996.

Europa year Book. 1996.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports. 1996.

Human Rights Watch World Report. 1996-97.

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. Bimonthly.

Jeune Afrique [Paris]. 1995 to present.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 1994-1996.

New African [London]. Monthly.

West Africa [London]. Weekly.

On-line search on NEXIS database.

Two oral sources consulted did not provide information on the requested subject.

Attachment

Supplement to Information Session on Country Conditions on Somalia (Toronto Front). 15 February 1996. "Al-Itihad Al-Islam," pp. 180-182.