The Islamic Courts militia found out that the idea of an heroic last stand in Kismayo didn't appeal very much to them after all. The fighters are leaving, either to go back to their own clans and warlords, or to blend into the population to wage an Iraq-style guerrilla war. And now the hunt for wanted al-Qaeda terrorists is on.
As the last remaining stronghold of the Islamic group was overrun by government troops backed by Ethiopian tanks and MiG fighter jets, the net began closing on suspected al-Qaida militants believed to be sheltered by the hard-line group.
Neighboring Kenya vowed to seal its frontier to prevent any extremists, now wedged against the sea and their border, from escaping the 13-day military offensive.
Sea routes from southern Somalia were also being patrolled by the U.S. Navy, hunting for three al-Qaida suspects believed to be among the Islamic group and wanted for the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa.
It would be an incredible stroke of luck - or very good inside intelligence - to catch these terrorists. I can't imagine it would be very difficult to hide in Somalia, a vast and lawless country. Then again, some clan leaders may be tempted to cash in on the rewards offered.
I don't hold much hope for the UN-supported government to restore order and keep control once the Ethiopian army retreats, even though regional leaders try to set up some sort of peacekeeping force.
Ethiopia has had a stunning success so far in this campaign. Then again, its armed forces has the luxury of not having to deal with steady condemnations from "human rights" groups or the chorus of body counts from a hostile press at home.
Maybe the entire war on terror should be outsourced to "our thugs" to fight against those thugs we worry about. It worked in the cold war.
11:27:00 PM 
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