Sign up for the editor's
weekly newsletter
- Sweden edition
- Change edition:
- France |
- Germany |
- Norway |
- Switzerland
Reader Offer
February 14, 2012
Swedes killed in fighting in Somalia
Published: 29 May 09 08:10 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/19736/20090529/
Several young men who left Sweden to join the radical Islamic militant group al-Shabaab in Somalia have been killed in battle, according to Sweden’s security service Säpo.
- Sweden to receive 1,900 quota refugees in 2012 (30 Jan 12)
- Vilks murder plot suspects acquitted (20 Jan 12)
- 'Mossad set me up': Swede held in Bangkok (19 Jan 12)
So far, a handful of people with Swedish passports have also been killed in the fighting, Säpo reports.
“For the time being, it is believed there are ten or so Swedes on the ground in Somalia. They are either taking part in the violence or in training camps, but there may be more as of yet unknown cases. What worries us is that it’s ongoing and growing,” said Säpo counterterrorism analyst Malena Rembe to the Svenska Dagbladet (SvD) newspaper.
The recruits aren’t only Swedes with Somali backgrounds, but are also individuals of mixed ethnicity, according to Rembe.
Some of them are leaving Sweden without telling their relatives what they are planning to do.
“These are people who are going down on their own initiative. They see themselves as a part of a global struggle and want to contribute,” said Rembe.
Somalia has been at war since 1991 when the country’s government collapsed. Recently, al-Shabaab militants have made advances toward the Somali capital of Mogadishu.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Fark It!
Digg This
Share everywhere
Send to a friend
Printable version
Twitter ThisToday's headlines
Swedish blogger snaps commuting 'macho men'
A Stockholm woman fed up with male passengers on public transport taking up the space of women sitting next to them, has started a blog snapping secret pics of straddle-legged commuters and posting them on the internet. READ (30 COMMENTS) »
Swedish town gives 'Negro Village' new name
A suburb of Mjällby, southern Sweden, known by locals as ‘Negro Village’ for forty years, will be changing its name after a storm of recent attention. READ (9 COMMENTS) »
German 'tourist' living in Gothenburg airport
A 27-year-old German man has been living at the Gothenburg Landvetter airport for two months having no wish to return to Germany and nowhere to go in Sweden. READ (12 COMMENTS) »
Dramatic rise in dementia numbers in Sweden
Every second Swede is at risk of developing dementia, according to a new study from Umeå University, which concentrated on the 85+ population in northern Sweden. READ »
Masked man raped cyclist in Malmö park
After a 28-year-old woman was pulled off her bicycle and raped by an unidentified assailant in Malmö over the weekend, and police are fearing it could be the work of a budding serial rapist. READ (13 COMMENTS) »
Narcolepsy victims in new compensation bid
Families of children in Sweden suffering from narcolepsy caused by vaccination for the swine flu can expect some form of compensation, Swedish health minister Göran Hägglund said on Sunday in response to new calls for help from parents. READ (1 COMMENT) »
Löfven ready to negotiate over nuclear power
The new leader of the Social Democrats Stefan Löfven has indicated he's ready to negotiate with the government over the future of nuclear power despite a previous party decision to phase out nuclear energy in Sweden. READ (3 COMMENTS) »
One in five Swedes 'believes in ghosts'
One in five Swedes believes that people rise from the grave after they've died, a new survey has shown. READ (14 COMMENTS) »
More National
- 13/02 Masked man raped cyclist in Malmö park (13 comments) »
- 12/02 Malmö murders linked to fake online firms: report (9 comments) »
- 12/02 Teacher held after having sex with teen students (4 comments) »
- 12/02 Man arrested after 'hugging thief' attack (1 comment) »
- 11/02 Psychiatrist had sex with patient during therapy (16 comments) »
- 11/02 73 cats found in three-room apartment (5 comments) »
- 10/02 Court delays Swedish bride murder trial (3 comments) »
- 10/02 Four arrested for Malmö gang slaying (41 comments) »
- 10/02 Agency to probe doc who broke baby’s neck (18 comments) »
- 09/02 17-year-old dies after ambulance no-show (18 comments) »
20 things to know before moving to Sweden
As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »
How far can English take you in Sweden?
Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »
Blog Update: Julie's Nordic Island
"The ice dripped in the winter sun. It was the first day when the light had been intense enough to cause dripping in the sunlight. To hear it was an extraordinary wakeup call. The cycle was happening again as it always does, always will (or so we think). I imagined that on my summer island, the bees..." READ »
- 11/2 09:27 Fika Quiz (The Swedish Teacher)
- 10/2 10:47 Reefer Madness (110% LAGOM)
- 07/2 12:55 Queen of Diamonds (The Diplomatic Dispatch)
Highlights
|
|
Swedish word of the day
fin
adjective
Fin means anyhting from sweet to proper. When someone says, Du är så fin it's quite a compliment.
Latest news from The Local in Germany
- 13/02 Dog attack victim tries to save owner's life »
- 13/02 Olympic bosses cannot ban underwear luger »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
Latest news from The Local in Switzerland
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
Latest news from The Local in France
More news from France at thelocal.fr
Latest news from The Local in Norway
- 13/02 Norway beer makers can't show beer »
- 13/02 Norwegian billionaire to buy 10 oil tankers: report »
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
Blog
New book about Sweden – get to know the country
Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.
Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop
In cooperation with DoToday
Register
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
Jobs in Sweden, in English
512 jobs available
216 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today
- Marketing Campaign Manager
- Management Consultant?
- Marketing Campaign Manager
- Build IT Technician
- YOUNG TALENT PROGRAM - AUTOMATION ENGINEER -- AUTOMATION PLATFORM
- YOUNG TALENT PROGRAM - AUTOMATION ENGINEER FOOD PROCESSING
- Build Manager
- Nordic Talent Solutions Specialist
- YOUNG TALENT PROGRAM - PROCESS ENGINEER
- Accountant (m/f)
Noticeboard
Discuss
- 00:31 What does that mean?
- 00:27 Baseball in Gothenburg?
- 23:26 Pop tarts in Stockholm
- 23:19 Had problems with my boyfriend
- 23:09 Working with no knowledge of Swedish?
- 22:46 Tax deductible for rented property
- 22:41 Skattereduktion after buying an apartment
- 21:04 Which song are you currently listening to?
- 20:45 Should I ask her on a date or not?
- 20:10 Irish Girl has just moved to Sweden!
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
Eritrean and Ethiopian who are running a way from home land to be protected and even proud off being refugee in Sweden . Somalia's problem should be solved by themselves, and it is fair to say that fighting for freedom is much worth than simply selling an identity and living as second hand citizen.
In fact, the problem currently existed not in Stockholm rather in Mogadishu so that they had to go to the fighting place to find the solution… They are smart as they realized these technologies and democracy are not belong to them …
You should bring freedom by yourself and don't need an assistance from other party as if your handicap….. Of course, the passport is nothing but a paper …
…Refugee ur right ….. Pass port is nothing , can not bring freedom … is a simple paper...
Inletwatcher
Did anyone blame christianity, germans for hitler's actions.
Radicalism in religion is bad no question about it. There is a problem in intregration too.
When can a person be called Swedish certainly not if you are a colored blatte!. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is Swedish when he plays in the games wins some goals for Sweden. But outside the games, he is mobbed and called bad names on Swedish forums.
Some Somalis are good some are bad.
Tycker det är sjukt att fördömma människor utifrån deras utseende! eller deras religion, kultur, ras, färg mm .
Why they don´t move to the capital of Islam Saudi Arabia a country which doesn´t know what to do with petro dollars???
it's only english spoken or typed on the local! (just joking). if a person makes up his or her mind to go and fight in their home country that's fine. if that person is fighting and killing innocent people and fighting for a cause that isn't just! he or she should lose their visa in their refugee country. HEEBZ said it best in his comment! PS. Mamoshka we all here on the local know swedish ,so where u have to say in swedish say in it english!! (NOT JOKING)
I think these people are lost in life,they couldn't find good use of their lives and become escapists in the name extremism.
If only each one of them used those funds to eduacate 2 somali kids in camps such as daadab refugee camp in kenya they would have the lives of not less than 50 kids.
improper intergration sytem is to blame.If these people don't see the other side of life and stick to their barbaric mentallity what should one expect from them.
When a man or family come to a new country to begin a new life, they must change themselves to truly begin a new hopeful life, how come one comes from a country full with wars and conflict doesn`t think to live a new, clean and innocent life here, it is true there is racism here regarding work and social life but not all the swedes are racists and not all the non swedes are good people. What were those guys doing in sweden? where were their families? didn`t they learn ? didn`t they get jobs, families to care about?
Others think the swedish culture is 'evil' and end up being barbaric extremists trying to change the swedish people.
people don't always adapt to the their new countries. look at the anglophones here, how many are ready to move back to their own countries? and if you add in the "adversity" element, how many of the swedes who emigrated from sweden to the US during really tough times came back to sweden?
The idyllic Sweden the world once knew is gone, victim of it's own policies which it was famous.
Now, Sweden is aiding and abetting the illwillers in the world by acting as a blind sactuary for "refugees of armed conflict" with an open immigration policy.
or are you just thinking of the supposed porn?
yes. there's a little box on our tax return where we can donate 10kr to the muslim overtaking of africa. personally, i always throw in another 5 for good merit.
What does integration have to do with this? Are you saying that the radicalization of religion cases problems in integration or simply that religion cases problems with integration? I agree with the latter. There is no such thing as integrating different religions. Religions call for separation. Integration needs compromise. Religious people do not compromise. There is a reason why all religious groups in the Islamic world live separately and follow different laws. It's the West which for some reason believes a multi-religious society can exist in an integrated multi-cultural society. This is simply not the case.
And here I'm talking about religious people by the way, not secular people.
How racist of you.
Zlatan is born and raised in Sweden and is definitely Swedish. He calls himself Swedish too and I doubt he cares what a bunch of people on some forum thinks of him.
Och vad har detta men den här artikeln att göra?
Question: Didn't Stalin enforce censorship?
.
am just trying to understand why these young people moved back to somalia to kill and avoid blaming it race like some are doing here
goodbye all! censur is bad and racism as well
if this site promotes swedish democrats i'm out of here delete my nick!
like you deleted my post about swedish democrats!
i spent an hour to create this one!
It is better i moved out from this crazy country and its crazy people who have no clue what is an imigrant and what is a refugee
they see every imigrant inferior to them
your clean white aryan race!
bevara sverige white, i get it
non of the racist posts are deleted but mine the moderate as an offensive If i was a Swedish blonde aryan it would have been kept here stay tuned to read about the swedish democrats interview here
delete my nick!
*well in anticipation, bye bye*
Swedish teen tackles centuries-old numbers challenge
http://www.thelocal.se/19710/20090528/
And do you know who is this Swede?He is an Iraqi immigrant.....hmmmm
http://www.thelocal.se/discuss/index.php?showtopic=22223
*check the board*
Sounds long... post it somewhere else where spam is allowed.
Clearly you should move if you see the country and her people as crazy.
What on earth are you on about? Although there's some truth to that. Sweden lets in thousands of people as refugees when they're in fact economic migrants... but I don't that's what you were referring to.
Mamoshka sees every Swede as racist.
What a world.
Do you by any chance suffer from an inferiority complex?
Wtf? Swedish people in the US would read the Swedish news, not Sweden's news in English.
Ever heard of freedom of speech? People are allowed to have their opinion. People are not, however, allowed to spam message boards with posts that have no relevance to the topic at hand.
I think the quote "look for racism and you'll find it" just gained another meaning with you. Just get over yourself.
If you want to talk about SD start another board.
I understand u, they have deleted my comments as well. Integration seems a lie in Sweden.
From my own personal experience i beleive that those who always jump onto others calling them racists happen to be one.
I hope people realize that by arguing more and more about racism we only end up deviding people apart,into racists and anti-racists,therefore propergating hate.
Jimmy James, people who apply for refugee status have to work with an international process overseen by the UN's High Command on Refugees (not the real name, but I'm not arsed enough to find the full title.) They get sent to which ever country agrees to take them in, barring family members in some third country who may agree to support them. So it's not like there is a huge queue of potential jihadists all waiting to come to Sweden. It's just that Sweden, unlike those lovely countries you cite, actually gives enough of a shizzle to agree to take in these folks.
IMHO, Sweden is too lenient with the islamists. Hezbollah is marching in the streets with their flags, AlQaida had their camps here. Black September was welcome here. Muslims are using democracies cynically.
Mamooshka rant
p.s Don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out.
The nazis could be regarded as anti organised religion but this had more to do with usurping thier power rather than a genuine athiest belief.
Several posts have been removed from this thread because they were either completely irrelevant to the topic at hand, for example querist's post:
Or full of unnecessary and inflammatory speech:
You may disagree with my decision to remove the above post, but in my opinion it's entirely inappropriate to suggest adopting racist attitudes in order to "protect" one's culture.
Stalin however was undoubtedly athiest. Evil people exist and do evil things whether they are thiest or athiest. The only difference is that I for one have never heard of anyone doing evil in the name of athiesm whereas we are bombarded by daily attrocities committed in the name religion whichever it may be...
Is Lenin still on public display? I had heard that he had started to rot!
The head line should now read "No Swedes killed in fighting in Somalia"
I don't recall stating anything one way or the other regarding pride or identity or my "wishes." However, if you insist on being enlightened, okie dokie. What is pride, exactly? Pride is an irrational state of mind in which you believe that you're somehow better than everyone else. This attitude becomes dangerous when you start to believe that you and the select group of people you consider to be enough like you are more entitled to existance on this planet than anyone else. Words like clan, tribe, and race are meaningless to me because I come from 100% white American mongrel stock. What do I have to be proud of? Oh I know. My ancestors shagged everything that moved in Europe and eventually I emerged out of that genetic mess. That's really the only thing I have to thank them for.
And chocolate.
And kittens.
3 trouble makers less.