Is Somalia On The Verge Of An Oil Boom?

Alex Dick-Godfrey, National Interest: Somalia: The Next Oil Superpower?

WNU Editor: If estimates of over 100 billion barrels of oil are even remotely true (which I have doubts) .... Somalia is definitely not ready for an oil boom, and will probably not be ready for a number of years. Unfortunately .... the world is hungry for energy, and if these reserves are real and economical to exploit .... do not be surprise in the next few years to see rigs and platforms being established off the coast of Somalia, and a fight within Somalia itself on who will benefit from these riches.

Update: Here is an article from Bloomberg last year on Somalia's oil potential .... Somalia Plans to Start Producing Oil Offshore in Six Years (Bloomberg)

Somalia's Intelligence HQ Attacked By Islamist Rebels

A Somali government soldier holds his fighting position against suspected militants during an attack at the Jilacow underground cell inside a national security compound in Mogadishu August 31, 2014.

Credit: REUTERS/Feisal Omar

Islamist Rebels Attack Intelligence Site In Somalia, 12 Killed -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Islamist rebels blew up a car bomb and gunmen attacked a national intelligence site in Somalia's capital where suspected militants are held, in an assault on Sunday that left at least 12 people dead.

Three soldiers and two civilians were killed along with seven militants, including the suicide bomber who detonated the vehicle packed with explosives, government officials said.

After the initial blast, gunmen stormed the compound but did not reach the underground cells where suspected militants were being detained, Security Ministry spokesman Mohamed Yusuf told reporters at the site.

Read more ....

Update #1: Shebab rebels stage major attack on Somalia intelligence HQ -- AFP
Update #2: Al-Shabab attacks Somalia's intelligence HQ -- Al Jazeera

My Comment: This is an embarrassing intelligence failure.

Eritrea Denies Being Main Arms Supplier To Somali Rebels