By Abdi Sheikh
MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Islamist militants set off several explosions in the Somali capital on Sunday, their spokesman said, demonstrating the rebels' ability to attack the heart of government-controlled areas despite security gains.
The guerilla-style attacks were typical of al Shabaab rebels who have waged a six-year campaign to impose their strict interpretation of Islamic law on the country.
The militants had fired five mortar shells and hurled several grenades, wounding at least two women, senior police officer Abdiqadir Mohamud said.
Somali security forces responded with volleys of gunfire, witnesses said. Casualty numbers were thought to be low.
"We started a massive military operation across Mogadishu at dusk. It will go on until tomorrow morning," said rebel spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, promising more attacks over the next few days as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan ends.
Al Shabaab said late last month the rise in coordinated attacks conducted by its fighters pointed to its enduring strength and at the time warned of more attacks in Ramadan.
The African Union peacekeeping force, known as AMISOM, has struggled to control areas won back from al Shabaab. The central government extends little influence beyond the capital where security has improved since peacekeepers flushed the militants out of their bases two years ago.
Uganda's Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa told leaders from troop contributing countries - including Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Djibouti and Sierra Leone - at a summit in Uganda on Sunday that AMISOM had been stretched to its operational limit. But a summit communique stopped short of calling for extra troops.
"I am afraid the remaining nights of Ramadan will be the worst for Mogadishu," local elder Farah Bulle told Reuters. "They have managed to indoctrinate many fighters to die in the holy month."
The blasts came just as people broke the day's Ramadan fast.
"We heard big crashes while we ate iftar (the evening meal). We ran inside with our plates, taking cover from what sounded like mortar shells," mother-of-three Fatuma Osman told Reuters by telephone from Mogadishu's "Kilometre 5" district.
Residents said the coastal capital, which was a battle zone and much of which still lies in ruins after two decades of conflict, was quiet after the initial flurry of blasts.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/islamist-militants-attack-somali-capital-plan-more-ramadan-062712294.html
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Others were much more traditional like this simple filigree locket.
One of my favorite pieces to make were these ?potion? necklaces. I had a few different types and did a lot of research as to what herbs and stones would be best suited to include based on the overall purpose of the necklace (attracting love, getting over your past, etc.)
I?mostly sold jewelry but there was a fair amount of home decor stuff listed as well. I love to do cross-stitch but also branched out into doing shadow boxes toward the end. I?m actually very thankful this one never sold because I love it so much! It?s sitting on my nightstand now.
My shop has been deactivated for over a year now. I sometimes think of opening it up again but I just don?t have the time to create like I used to. I definitely miss it and can see myself going back to it eventually!